Chelsea beat Everton as Emiliano Martinez is taken to hospital after head injury

Chelsea moved up to fourth in the Premier League with a 2-0 win at Everton, but the result was overshadowed by a serious-looking head injury to goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

The 34-year-old was carried from the Hill Dickinson Stadium on a stretcher while receiving oxygen after colliding with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite. Martinez was taken to hospital for precautionary tests after receiving lengthy treatment on the pitch.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso confirmed after the match that Martinez was conscious when he left the stadium. No further diagnosis was provided.

Pedro Neto scored both goals as Chelsea ended a run of 22 Premier League matches without a clean sheet and inflicted Everton’s first league defeat of the season. The Blues had last kept a league clean sheet on January 17.

Martinez injury overshadows Chelsea victory

The incident happened in the second half when Martinez came off his line to punch an Everton free-kick clear. He and Branthwaite collided while challenging for the ball, with both players initially requiring medical attention.

Branthwaite recovered quickly and continued, but Martinez needed prolonged treatment from Chelsea’s medical staff and paramedics. He was eventually replaced by 21-year-old goalkeeper Mike Penders, who was making his Premier League debut.

The lengthy stoppage led to 11 minutes of added time, with the sight of Martinez being carried away dominating the closing stages of a match Chelsea had largely controlled.

Neto opened the scoring seconds after half-time when he met Jorrel Hato’s low delivery into the penalty area. The Portugal winger sent his finish through a defender’s legs, and although Jordan Pickford got a hand to the ball, he could not prevent it from going in.

Chelsea came close to extending their lead when Moises Caicedo struck the angle of the post and crossbar with a powerful volley. Cole Palmer also tested Everton’s defence, while the hosts struggled to create a clear response.

Neto completed his first Premier League brace in the 90th minute. After Jordan Henderson’s free-kick hit the wall, the loose ball fell to the Chelsea forward, who calmly rolled his finish into the bottom corner. It was his first two-goal league game in 187 appearances in the English top flight.

Everton’s unbeaten run ends

Everton began the match among the Premier League’s unbeaten teams, alongside Manchester City and Brentford, but David Moyes’ side could not extend that record.

The hosts had chances in a goalless first half. Maxence Lacroix saw a header cleared off the line by Harrison Armstrong, while Thierno Barry headed straight at Martinez from close range.

Barry, Everton’s only senior striker, had taken 25 Premier League shots this season but scored only three goals. Everton also felt Morgan Rogers should have been shown a second yellow card after a 50-50 challenge involving James Garner.

Everton managed only two shots in the second half as Chelsea held on for an important away win and their first league clean sheet since January 17. The hosts were sixth before the rest of the weekend’s fixtures.