Emi Martinez Conscious After Collision in Chelsea’s Win at Everton

Emi Martinez was conscious when he left the Hill Dickinson Stadium for precautionary hospital tests after a serious collision during Chelsea’s 2-0 Premier League win over Everton.

Chelsea manager Alonso confirmed the initial update after the final whistle, with the club now awaiting the outcome of further medical assessments on the 34-year-old Argentina goalkeeper.

“He left the stadium conscious, as far as I understand,” Alonso said. “He is at the hospital for precautionary tests. That is everything I know at the moment.”

Martinez treated for more than 10 minutes

The incident came in the 66th minute as Martinez and Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite challenged for a cross. Branthwaite’s momentum took him into the goalkeeper in a heavy aerial collision.

Martinez stayed down for several minutes as medics attended to him, with his head and neck stabilised before he was taken from the field on a stretcher. Treatment lasted for more than 10 minutes and brought a hushed atmosphere around the stadium.

Branthwaite received treatment but was able to play on. Martinez could not continue and was transported for checks, with the full nature of his injury still to be established.

Before his departure, Martinez had made a string of important saves, including a sharp reaction stop to deny Jack Grealish.

Neto double seals Chelsea win

Pedro Neto scored twice to settle the contest, opening the scoring shortly after the interval before striking again in stoppage time. The Portuguese winger dedicated the victory and the clean sheet to Martinez.

“It is a shame for Emi and we all wish him the best,” Neto said. “The win is for him. We are pleased, but our thoughts are with him. Emi deserved that clean sheet.”

The result lifted Chelsea further up the table and delivered their first Premier League clean sheet in nine months, though concern over Martinez overshadowed the celebrations.

Penders makes Chelsea history

Alonso introduced Mike Penders after Martinez’s enforced exit, and the 21-year-old Belgian goalkeeper saw out the closing stages under sustained Everton pressure.

Penders dealt calmly with a series of late crosses and set-pieces as Everton searched for a route back into the game. His appearance made him the youngest goalkeeper to play for Chelsea in a Premier League match.