Martinez rushed to hospital after concussion as Chelsea end nine-month Premier League clean-sheet wait
Martinez hospitalised after collision with Branthwaite
Emiliano Martinez was taken to hospital for "precautionary tests" after suffering what Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso described as a concussion during the Blues' 2-0 win at Everton on Saturday. Martinez had earlier played his part in Chelsea securing a first Premier League clean sheet in nine months, a run stretching back 23 matches.
Martinez collided with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite in the 68th minute while attempting to claim a cross from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's free-kick. There was an eight-minute stoppage before the Argentina international was replaced by Mike Penders, who made his Premier League debut for Chelsea and saw out the remainder of the match.
Asked about the incident after the match, 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."
First clean sheet since January
Chelsea recorded their first Premier League clean sheet for nine months, since a 2-0 win against Brentford in January. The result ended Everton's unbeaten start to the season and lifted Chelsea to fourth in the table, according to match reporting from 17 October. The victory was secured by two goals from Pedro Neto.
Although Alonso said he was "not obsessed" with keeping a clean sheet, his side, who had conceded a league-high 13 goals before kick-off, were keen to address that record after a much-improved 5-1 win over Bournemouth following the international break.
There had also been discussion about Chelsea being a "soft" team, particularly away from home in the north of England, having lost 19 of their previous 41 matches north of Luton over the past four years. Last season, Chelsea lost 3-0 at Everton during Liam Rosenior's five-match winless run, a sequence that ultimately cost him his job. The Blues had also won just one of their past nine matches at the Toffees.
"We need to show we can win in this way"
This time, however, Everton managed just six shots, their fewest in a Premier League game since recording five against Arsenal last December. Chelsea also conceded only one clear-cut opportunity and allowed their lowest expected goals against (xG) figure against top-flight opposition this season at 0.45.
They started with a back three of Josh Acheampong, Maxence Lacroix and Levi Colwill, while goalscorer Neto and Jorrel Hato, who provided the assist, operated as wing-backs. The midfield pairing of Moises Caicedo, returning from international duty, and new signing Jordan Henderson also brought much-needed solidity and experience. It was £117m club-record signing Morgan Rogers, however, who set the tone for a combative display, squaring up to Everton defender James Tarkowski during an eventful first half.
Alonso added: "We needed to show that we can win in this way. We looked solid, we played solidly, we were strong and we stayed in control. In the first half there were difficult periods with throw-ins, corners and pressure from Everton. You have to overcome those moments. In the Premier League it is very hard to have complete control in an away game, but you cannot lose your shape or your conviction."
Doubts over Martinez for demanding run
There are now doubts over whether Martinez will be fit for Chelsea's next three matches - they face Tottenham and Manchester United in the Premier League, with a Carabao Cup tie at Liverpool in between. That concern would be heightened if tests confirm Martinez suffered a concussion, with Premier League protocols typically requiring a minimum 14-day return-to-play process.