Emi Martinez stretchered off and taken to hospital as Pedro Neto's double fires Chelsea to 2-0 win at Everton
Chelsea goalkeeper Emi Martinez was stretchered off and taken to hospital after a clash of heads with Jarrad Branthwaite in the 2-0 win at Everton, while Pedro Neto scored twice.
Chelsea’s 2-0 Premier League win at Everton on Saturday was overshadowed by a serious head injury to goalkeeper Emi Martinez, who was stretchered off and taken to hospital after a clash of heads with Jarrad Branthwaite (Reuters; Sky Sports).
The Argentine was hurt in the 66th minute while punching clear a free kick, and received around nine minutes of on-field treatment before being carried off. He was replaced by 21-year-old Mike Penders, who made his Premier League debut and helped the Blues secure their first league clean sheet since January (Sky Sports).
Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso offered a reassuring update after the match, saying: “As far as I know, he left the stadium conscious. Right now he is in the hospital doing precautionary tests. So, let’s see” (talkSPORT; Sportsmole).
Pedro Neto was the match-winner, sweeping home just 43 seconds after the restart from Jorrel Hato’s cutback and adding a second in the 90th minute after Jordan Henderson’s free kick was blocked. The result ended Everton’s unbeaten start to the season and provisionally lifted Chelsea into the Premier League’s top four (Reuters).
Neto dedicated the victory to the injured keeper: “We are really pleased. Shame for Emi [Martinez] but we wish you all the best. This win is for him” (The National).
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