The extent of Chelsea goalkeeper Emi Martinez's injury has been confirmed after a sickening clash of heads away at Everton.
Everton v Chelsea FC - Premier League 2026/27
Emiliano Martinez received lengthy treatment on the pitch before being stretchered off (Image: Getty)
Emi Martinez has been diagnosed with a jawbone injury after being involved in a horrific clash of heads in Chelsea's 2-0 win at Everton, according to reports. A clash with Toffees centre-half Jarrad Branthwaite left the keeper motionless on the floor. The match was stopped for over nine minutes as World Cup winner Martinez received treatment. The Argentine was given oxygen before being stretchered off. He was then taken to a hospital in Liverpool for further assessment.
Encouragingly, the 34-year-old was seen awake and moving his arms as he was carried off and replaced by Mike Penders, who made his Premier League debut.
His manager Xabi Alonso said: "It was a concussion, but beyond that I do not know. I have only seen one clip of the incident, so we need to wait. What we know is that he left the stadium conscious and is now in hospital undergoing precautionary tests.
"We need to wait. Hopefully it will not be too serious, but at the moment we just have to wait."
According to Argentine journalist Gaston Edul, Martinez is staying in hospital overnight. But the keeper is said to be conscious and doing well. Scans on his head, back and neck have come back all clear but he has a bone injury in his jaw.
The incident has cast doubt on Martinez's availability for Chelsea's next three matches, at home to Tottenham in the Premier League, away to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup and at home to Manchester United in the league.
Pedro Neto scored a brace at the Hill Dickinson Stadium as Chelsea ended Everton's unbeaten start to the season. The Blues kept their first clean sheet in the Premier League for nine months in the process.
Matchwinner Neto told TNT Sports post-game: "We are really pleased. Shame for Emi but we wish him all the best. This win is for him. We are really happy but of course are thoughts are with him.
"Happy to get the win. We needed a clean sheet to be honest. We did a very good game. Emi deserved this. Mike deserved this as well. So we are really happy."