Martínez stretchered off, hospitalized after head injury in Everton — SkimNews
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- Emi Martínez collided with Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite in the 67th minute while rushing from his goal to punch clear a free kick, resulting in extended on-pitch treatment and oxygen before he was stretchered off.
- The 34-year-old goalkeeper was substituted in the 75th minute by 21-year-old Mike Penders, and officials added 11 minutes of stoppage time after the lengthy delay.
- Xabi Alonso confirmed Martínez was conscious as he left the stadium and said he was heading for "precautionary tests," calling the injury "a concussion but more than that" pending further evaluation.
- Pedro Neto scored both goals to secure the three points and dedicated the result to his teammate: "We are really pleased. Shame for Emi but we wish you all the best. This win is for him."
- Everton manager David Moyes said he couldn't see the incident from the dugout and simply "hope[s] he's fine."
- The win ended Everton's unbeaten start to the campaign and delivered the club's first clean sheet of the season, which Alonso praised as "very professional, very solid" work to build on.
Why it matters: Martínez's precautionary hospital visit leaves Chelsea's No. 1 spot in the hands of 21-year-old Mike Penders pending test results, raising the stakes on the very match that delivered the club's first clean sheet of the season — a defensive baseline Alonso explicitly said he wants to build from.
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