Emi Martinez suffers head injury in Chelsea win at Everton

Chelsea goalkeeper Emi Martinez suffered a serious head injury during his team's 2-0 Premier League win at Everton. The Argentine international was stretchered off and taken to hospital for precautionary tests after a collision with defender Jarrad Branthwaite.

Martinez was hurt seven minutes into the match at Hill Dickinson Stadium. The incident occurred as both players challenged for a Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall free-kick. Medical staff treated the goalkeeper on the pitch for several minutes before he was carried off wearing a neck brace, though he did give a thumbs-up to Branthwaite as he left.

Medical response and replacement

Chelsea coach Xabi Alonso confirmed after the match that Martinez had sustained a concussion. "Very happy with the result and the performance," Alonso said. "We needed one of these away wins where we have played very professional and serious, looking solid. But our thoughts are with Emi now." The club stated more tests were needed to assess the full extent of the injury and that Martinez would remain in hospital overnight for observation.

His place was taken by 21-year-old Mike Penders, who made his Premier League debut. Penders became Chelsea's youngest-ever goalkeeper to appear in the competition and helped the team keep its first clean sheet since January. Alonso added.

Match context and Chelsea's goals

Pedro Neto scored both goals in the victory, which moved Chelsea up to fourth place with 13 points from seven games. His first came just 44 seconds after the restart, capitalising on a defensive error from James Tarkowski. He sealed the win in the final minute of normal time, rolling a finish past Jordan Pickford after being played through by Cole Palmer.

Everton struggled to create chances, managing only six shots in total. That was their lowest tally in a league match since last December. Morgan Rogers risked a second yellow card before half-time in a feisty first period that saw referee Paul Tierney issue five bookings, three to Chelsea players and two to Everton.

The result handed Everton their first defeat of the season. David Moyes, the Everton manager, commented on the injury to Martinez after the final whistle. Chelsea's victory was their first at Everton since August 2022. The club later issued a statement saying Martinez was "conscious and communicating well" in hospital.

Read the full report at theguardian.com