Chelsea defeated Everton 2-0 in the Premier League on Saturday, October 17, 2026, but the victory was overshadowed by a serious-looking head injury sustained by goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
Pedro Neto scored twice to secure the victory for Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium, handing Everton their first league defeat of the season.
The match was interrupted for about 10 minutes in the 75th minute after Martinez collided with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite while both players challenged for the ball.
Martinez received lengthy medical attention before being carried off the pitch on a stretcher. The Argentine, a 2022 FIFA World Cup winner, was able to move his arms as he was taken away and was replaced by Mike Penders.
Branthwaite, who also received treatment following the collision, was able to continue playing.
Chelsea took the lead immediately after the half-time break when Neto finished off a move involving Jorrel Hato, whose cutback was deflected into the Portuguese winger’s path.
Neto sealed the victory in the 90th minute with a composed finish into the bottom corner after a free-kick from Everton’s Jordan Henderson struck the defensive wall.
The result gave Chelsea their first Premier League clean sheet in nine months and ended Everton’s unbeaten start to the league campaign.
Chelsea moved into fourth position in the league table, while Everton dropped to sixth, pending the outcome of other weekend fixtures.
The condition of Martinez following the injury was not immediately confirmed in the match report.
