Emiliano Martinez taken to hospital for concussion tests after Chelsea's clean sheet at Everton

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was taken to hospital for precautionary tests after suffering a concussion during Chelsea's victory at Everton on Saturday. Manager Xabi Alonso confirmed the injury, which occurred in the 68th minute after Martinez collided with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite while attempting to claim a cross.

Following an eight-minute stoppage, Martinez was replaced by Mike Penders, who made his Premier League debut for Chelsea. The match was secured by two goals from Pedro Neto, marking Chelsea's first Premier League clean sheet in nine months, a run stretching back 23 matches.

Alonso stated after the match that Martinez left the stadium conscious and underwent tests. "It was a concussion, but beyond that I do not know," Alonso said. "I have only seen one clip of the incident, so we need to wait. Hopefully it will not be too serious, but at the moment we just have to wait."

The injury raises doubts over Martinez's availability for Chelsea's upcoming matches, including Premier League fixtures against Tottenham and Manchester United, and a Carabao Cup tie against Liverpool. Premier League protocols typically require a minimum 14-day return-to-play period for concussions, which could further complicate Penders' potential role.

The victory at Everton also addressed concerns about Chelsea's defensive record, particularly away from home. The team had conceded a league-high 13 goals before the match and had a history of struggling in the north of England. Last season, Chelsea lost 3-0 at Everton. This time, however, Everton managed only six shots, their fewest in a Premier League game since December, and conceded their lowest expected goals against figure this season at 0.45.

Chelsea's defensive setup included a back three of Josh Acheampong, Maxence Lacroix, and Levi Colwill, with wing-backs Pedro Neto and Jorrel Hato. The midfield pairing of Moises Caicedo and Jordan Henderson provided solidity. Club-record signing Morgan Rogers also contributed to a combative display.

Alonso expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, noting the need to win in a solid and controlled manner. "We needed to show that we can win in this way," Alonso added. "We looked solid, we played solidly, we were strong and we stayed in control."

Penders, who joined Chelsea from Genk in 2024, spent last season on loan at sister club Strasbourg. He has been compared to Thibaut Courtois by those familiar with his development, with coaches noting his potential and calm demeanor. Penders stands at 6ft 7in and has also served as Courtois' understudy for the Belgium national team. He is known for his ability with his feet, a skill honed under coaches who have developed several elite goalkeepers from Genk.