Emi Martinez was stretchered off and rushed to hospital in the second half of Chelsea’s Premier League meeting with Everton after a nasty collision with Jarrad Branthwaite.
Both teams’ medical staff immediately rushed onto the pitch, and there was clear concern for Martinez from players on both sides, including his opposite number Jordan Pickford.
Martinez was ultimately carried off on a stretcher after a lengthy break in play, which stretched to almost ten minutes.
He had been fitted with a neck brace and was receiving oxygen as he left the pitch. This match was his sixth in the Premier League since signing for Chelsea from Aston Villa in the summer.
Emi Martinez receives treatment on the pitch
PA
Xabi Alonso will offer an update on his condition at full-time.
Branthwaite, meanwhile, was back on his feet soon after and able to play on. He underwent concussion testing with Everton’s medical staff before being cleared to continue.
Chelsea’s backup keeper Mike Penders was brought on to replace Martinez. In doing so, the young Belgian makes his Premier League debut.
Alonso’s men were leading 1-0 at the time of Martinez’s injury thanks to Pedro Neto’s strike less than a minute into the second half. The Portuguese added a second shortly after Martinez’s exit and the match finished 2-0, Chelsea keeping a league clean sheet for the first time since January.
“Shame for Emi but we wish him all the best,” said Neto at full-time. “This win is for him. We are really happy, but our heads are with him. Emi deserved (the clean sheet) so we are really happy.”
Martinez had enjoyed a busy first-half. He got down quickly to deny a Thierno Barry header early on, before tipping an awkwardly bouncing Jack Grealish strike over the crossbar to maintain the deadlock.
This injury for Martinez comes mere days after the 20th anniversary of Petr Cech’s head injury at Reading, which left him unable to play for several months. He sported a rugby-style scrum cap for the remainder of his career to protect the affected area.