An unexpected Premier League debut for Mike Penders during Chelsea's win against Everton.
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Mike Penders made his Premier League debut for Chelsea against Everton after coming on as a second-half substitute.
The 21-year-old, who returned to Chelsea this summer after his loan spell at RC Strasbourg, had featured twice under Xabi Alonso, in both appearances in the Carabao Cup against Luton Town and Leeds United.
He is playing as the understudy to Emiliano Martinez, who was signed from Aston Villa to replace Robert Sanchez and offer Chelsea experience in goal.
While Martinez started the 2-0 win over Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday afternoon, the Argentine wasn't able to finish the game after being stretchered off with a head injury following a nasty collision with Toffees defender Jarrad Branthwaite.
A lengthy stoppage saw Penders prepare for his Premier League debut, which, albeit delayed, was well deserved and only a matter of time, given how highly regarded he is both within the club and in wider football.
He came on and kept Chelsea's clean sheet intact, showing glimpses of confidence, as well as a moment of shakiness when he dropped the ball in the box after coming out to claim an aerial ball, but fortunately he wasn't punished.
It meant Chelsea claimed back-to-back league wins, kept their first league clean sheet in 23 matches, the first in nine months, to cap off a perfect afternoon on Merseyside, except for the huge Martinez blow.
Mike Penders makes history for Chelsea in the Premier League
It wasn't just the result and clean sheet that was a moment for Chelsea and Penders to savour.
As revealed by Sky Sports, the Belgian international made history for the Blues against Everton.
Aged 21 years and 78 days, Penders became the youngest goalkeeper to play in the Premier League for the club.
Penders is now likely to get a run of games for Chelsea following Martinez's absence.
With concussions protocols likely needed to be followed once Martinez has undergone all of the necessary checks, it could see him sidelined for over a week.
This would see Penders as the starting option for Tottenham Hotspur next Saturday at Stamford Bridge, as well as for the Carabao Cup fourth-round tie against Liverpool on October 28.
With Penders the long-term solution in mind, it would give Alonso a chance to see how the youngster performs in several high-profile matches, much earlier than anyone could have anticipated.