Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was stretchered off during the Premier League clash with Everton following a serious head collision. The incident occurred around the hour mark at Goodison Park as Martinez challenged for a free-kick with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, with both players requiring immediate medical attention on the pitch.

Play was halted for a lengthy period while Martinez received treatment. He was eventually carried off on a stretcher but was seen to be awake and moving. Branthwaite was able to continue after his own assessment. TNT Sports commentator Darren Fletcher confirmed the goalkeeper was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.

"Only news we can bring you today is that he's been taken away to hospital which is the best place possible," Fletcher said. "Emi Martinez on his way to hospital in Liverpool."

Penders makes debut

His replacement was 21-year-old Mike Penders, who made his Premier League debut in the most challenging of circumstances. Chelsea were already leading through a Pedro Neto goal scored less than a minute after the second-half restart. Neto added a second in stoppage time to secure a 2-0 victory.

The win marked Chelsea's first away clean sheet in nine months and a second consecutive league victory, following a 5-1 win over Bournemouth. It provides a boost ahead of a key London derby this weekend. Chelsea Women, currently second in the Women's Super League standings with 13 points, host fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur Women on Saturday. The last meeting between the sides in August saw Tottenham claim a 2-1 victory.

Chelsea's recent form has seen them take 7 points from their last 3 matches, a run that has lifted them to 6th in the league table. The team's goal minutes show a strong second-half performance, with 8 of their last 10 league goals coming after halftime, a trend that continued with both strikes against Everton.

Martinez's immediate availability for the upcoming fixture is now in serious doubt. The Football Association's concussion protocols mandate a period of rest and a review by a healthcare professional before a player can return to full contact training. Symptoms can sometimes be delayed for 24 to 48 hours after the initial impact.

Chelsea's next match is against Tottenham Hotspur Women at home on 18 October.

More detail at Daily Mirror Football