A Port Vale steward was hurt and 12 fans were arrested as their Checkatrade Trophy tie with local rivals Stoke City was marred by ugly scenes on Tuesday night.
Videos on social media showed rival supporters trading blows in the streets surrounding Vale Park before the match.
More than 4,000 tickets had been sold to Stoke fans for the first Potteries derby in 16 years, even though it featured their Under 21 side.
Inside the ground around 180 police were on duty, but flares, bottles and coins rained down on the pitch during the first-half as Port Vale raced into a 3-0 lead.
Bottles were thrown at the players as they celebrated the third goal by Christian Montano in the 43rd minute and Luke Hannant picked up one bottle of Carling and took a swig before throwing it off the pitch.
At half-time the toilets in the away stand were damaged and windows smashed. During the second-half flares, seats and bottles were thrown at police and stewards.
One steward received medical treatment after he was hit by a seat thrown from the away stand. Port Vale won the match 4-0 in front of 7,940 fans.
Chief Superintendent Wayne Jones told the Stoke Sentinel: 'The behaviour of a significant section of those in the away stand was unacceptable and I would like to reassure the local community that we will do all we can to bring those responsible to justice.'
Superintendent Ricky Fields added: 'This was the biggest policing operation for a football match in Stoke-on-Trent for more than 10 years.'
The actions of Stoke fans at the match have been condemned by the club's own fan-base with many Potters supporters flocking to social media to voice their disapproval.
One fan said: 'No need for half to what I witnessed. Banter is one thing, the rest should stay in the 80s.’
Another supporter posted pictures of the smashed toilet windows with the caption 'bonkers'.
One Twitter user said those who caused the damage need to 'give their head a wobble' following their 'unsavoury' behaviour.