Emi Martinez’s horror head injury ruined Chelsea’s 2-0 win against Everton

Emi Martinez’s horror head injury marred Chelsea’s fine 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday 17 October. Martinez was injured during the second half on the hour following a collision with Everton’s Jarrod Braithwaite, forcing a lengthy stoppage in the game.

The collision occurred as Everton were preparing to take a free-kick, with Martinez and Branthwaite suffering a clash of heads while battling for the ball. Paramedics rushed onto the field to treat both players, but Martinez had to be carried off on a stretcher.

Emilio Martinez suffered a critical head injury and is out D CITYBOY (@DCITYBOY01) October 17, 2026

Martinez appeared conscious and moving as medical staff carried him away on a stretcher at Hill Dickinson Stadium, while Branthwaite recovered enough to remain on the field.

Martinez’s early departure paved the way for 21-year-old Mike Penders to make his Premier League debut. The young goalkeeper helped Chelsea secure a first league clean sheet since January, ending a 22-match run without one.

Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso confirmed that Martinez left the stadium conscious and underwent precautionary tests at a Liverpool hospital.

“As far as I know, he left the stadium conscious; he’s in the hospital doing preventive tests. We’ll see. That’s all I know so far,” Alonso said.

HOW THE MATCH HAPPENED

Chelsea struggled to find their usual attacking rhythm in a combative first half against Everton, with the sides involved in several confrontations that resulted in five bookings. However, the visitors broke the deadlock just 43 seconds into the second half when Jorrel Hato cut down Neto in the box unmarked, allowing him to slot the ball into the bottom corner.

Neto struck again in the 90th minute to seal the win for Chelsea. The winger capitalized on the rebound after Jordan Henderson’s free-kick was blocked by the Everton wall to calmly guide the loose ball into the bottom corner to hand the visitors their first defeat of the season.

Chelsea moved up to fourth place in the points table with the win.

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