Chelsea secured a 2-0 Premier League win at Everton on Saturday, but the result was overshadowed by a frightening head injury to goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who was stretchered off after a clash of heads and taken straight to hospital for scans.
The incident
With just over 20 minutes remaining at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Martinez came out to claim an Everton free kick and collided with Toffees centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite in a nasty clash of heads. Both players went down, and medical staff from both teams raced onto the pitch.
Branthwaite was sat up shortly afterwards with a cut on his nose and lower lip and was able to continue, but there was immediate concern for Martinez, who was in obvious distress on the turf. After lengthy treatment — about ten minutes — the Argentine was strapped onto a stretcher and carried off, moving his arms as he left the field. British broadcaster TNT Sports reported he was being taken to hospital for scans, with Chelsea awaiting the results before setting any return timeline.
Penders steps in, Neto seals the win
In Martinez's place came 21-year-old Belgian Mike Penders, who became the youngest goalkeeper in Chelsea's Premier League history. The youngster kept a clean sheet as Pedro Neto scored twice — one minute into the second half and again in the 91st minute — to end Everton's unbeaten start to the season.
It was Chelsea's first league clean sheet in 23 matches and moved Xabi Alonso's side up to fourth, marking his first away win as Chelsea manager. After the game, Neto dedicated the result to his injured teammate, telling TNT Sports: "Shame for Emi, but we wish you all the best. This win is for him."
Chelsea now face an anxious wait. With a visit from Tottenham next weekend and a Carabao Cup clash with Liverpool to follow, any extended absence for Martinez would hand Penders — who has impressed this season after a loan spell at Strasbourg — a lengthy run in the side.
Sources:
- Chelsea Lose Key Starter to Horror Head Injury Against Everton — Sports Illustrated
- Chelsea's Emi Martinez rushed to hospital after sickening head clash at Everton — The Sun
- Premier League live: score, updates and analysis — The Times
The incident
With just over 20 minutes remaining at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Martinez came out to claim an Everton free kick and collided with Toffees centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite in a nasty clash of heads. Both players went down, and medical staff from both teams raced onto the pitch.
Branthwaite was sat up shortly afterwards with a cut on his nose and lower lip and was able to continue, but there was immediate concern for Martinez, who was in obvious distress on the turf. After lengthy treatment — about ten minutes — the Argentine was strapped onto a stretcher and carried off, moving his arms as he left the field. British broadcaster TNT Sports reported he was being taken to hospital for scans, with Chelsea awaiting the results before setting any return timeline.
Penders steps in, Neto seals the win
In Martinez's place came 21-year-old Belgian Mike Penders, who became the youngest goalkeeper in Chelsea's Premier League history. The youngster kept a clean sheet as Pedro Neto scored twice — one minute into the second half and again in the 91st minute — to end Everton's unbeaten start to the season.
It was Chelsea's first league clean sheet in 23 matches and moved Xabi Alonso's side up to fourth, marking his first away win as Chelsea manager. After the game, Neto dedicated the result to his injured teammate, telling TNT Sports: "Shame for Emi, but we wish you all the best. This win is for him."
Chelsea now face an anxious wait. With a visit from Tottenham next weekend and a Carabao Cup clash with Liverpool to follow, any extended absence for Martinez would hand Penders — who has impressed this season after a loan spell at Strasbourg — a lengthy run in the side.
Sources:
- Chelsea Lose Key Starter to Horror Head Injury Against Everton — Sports Illustrated
- Chelsea's Emi Martinez rushed to hospital after sickening head clash at Everton — The Sun
- Premier League live: score, updates and analysis — The Times