Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was taken to hospital for precautionary tests after suffering a suspected concussion during the club’s 2-0 Premier League victory over Everton on Saturday.
Key Highlights
- Martinez collided with Jarrad Branthwaite in the 68th minute at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
- Play stopped for about eight minutes; Mike Penders made his Premier League debut.
- Alonso says Martinez left the stadium conscious and is undergoing tests.
- Pedro Neto scored twice as Chelsea kept a first league clean sheet in nine months.
- Chelsea face Tottenham, Liverpool (Carabao Cup) and Manchester United next.
The incident occurred in the 68th minute at Hill Dickinson Stadium when Martinez collided with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite while attempting to collect a cross from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s free-kick.
Play was stopped for about eight minutes before the Argentine international was replaced by Mike Penders, who made his Premier League debut for Chelsea and completed the match.
What Alonso Said
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso confirmed after the game that Martinez was conscious when he left the stadium and had been taken to hospital for further medical examinations.
“It was a concussion, but beyond that I do not know. I have only seen one clip of the incident, so we need to wait,” Alonso said.
“What we know is that he left the stadium conscious and is now in hospital undergoing precautionary tests.
“We need to wait. Hopefully it will not be too serious, but at the moment we just have to wait.”
Neto Double Ends Clean-Sheet Drought
Martinez’s injury overshadowed an important victory for Chelsea, with Pedro Neto scoring twice to secure all three points and deliver the club’s first Premier League clean sheet in nine months.
The result ended Chelsea’s run of 23 consecutive league matches without keeping a clean sheet, having last achieved the feat in a 2-0 victory over Brentford in January.
Alonso’s side had conceded 13 league goals before Saturday’s encounter but produced a more disciplined defensive performance to restrict Everton to just six shots.
The Chelsea manager had previously faced questions about his team’s defensive resilience, particularly during away matches, but praised his players for maintaining their shape and composure under pressure.
“We needed to show that we can win in this way,” Alonso said. “We looked solid, we played solidly, we were strong and we stayed in control.”
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Selection Concerns Ahead of Busy Run
Martinez’s absence could create selection concerns for Chelsea ahead of a demanding run of fixtures, including Premier League matches against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, with a Carabao Cup tie against Liverpool scheduled between them.
His availability for the upcoming games will depend on the outcome of medical examinations and his recovery.
Penders, 21, is expected to attract attention following his Premier League debut, particularly if Martinez is ruled out for an extended period.
Chelsea signed the Belgian goalkeeper from Genk in 2024 for £17 million before sending him back to the Belgian club on loan.
He subsequently spent last season on loan at Strasbourg, where he gained experience in Ligue 1 and European competition.
Penders has been regarded as a promising young goalkeeper, with his height, composure and ability to play out from the back drawing comparisons with Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois.
However, Chelsea’s immediate priority will be establishing the extent of Martinez’s injury and determining when the goalkeeper can safely return to action.
If a concussion is confirmed, he could face a period on the sidelines under football’s concussion management protocols, potentially complicating Chelsea’s preparations for their upcoming fixtures.
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