Chelsea’s Martinez taken to hospital after collision at Everton

Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was taken to hospital for precautionary tests after a collision during Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League win at Everton. Manager Xabi Alonso said Martinez had suffered a concussion, but that he was waiting for further information.

Martinez collided with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite while trying to claim a free-kick cross in the 68th minute. Play stopped for eight minutes before Chelsea replaced him with Mike Penders, who made his Premier League debut.

“He left the stadium conscious and is now in hospital undergoing precautionary tests,” Alonso said. “Hopefully it will not be too serious, but at the moment we just have to wait.” [1]

Martinez’s availability is uncertain ahead of a demanding run of fixtures: Chelsea are due to play Tottenham and Manchester United in the league, with a Carabao Cup tie at Liverpool in between. If tests confirm a concussion, Premier League protocols typically require at least 14 days before a return to play, according to BBC Sport. [1]

The injury interrupted a significant result for Chelsea, who kept their first Premier League clean sheet in nine months. Pedro Neto scored both goals in the win, which ended a run of 23 league matches without a clean sheet. [1]