Emi Martinez has undergone surgery following a head injury sustained during Chelsea’s 2-0 Premier League victory over Everton on Saturday, with the goalkeeper saying he expects to return in a few weeks. The Argentina international, 34, suffered the injury in the 67th minute at Hill Dickinson Stadium when he collided with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite while attempting to punch an Everton free kick away from his penalty area.
Both players received treatment on the pitch, but Branthwaite recovered quickly, while Martínez required extended medical attention from Chelsea’s medical staff and paramedics. The goalkeeper was eventually stretchered off the pitch while receiving oxygen and was replaced by 21-year-old Mike Penders in the 75th minute. The lengthy stoppage resulted in 11 minutes of added time at the end of the match.
Martinez later shared a photograph of himself in a hospital bed on social media, reassuring fans that his operation had been successful. “Thank you all for the messages, the operation went well. The most important thing is that we won and with a bow at 0. We’ll be back in a few weeks,” he wrote.
Chelsea coach Xabi Alonso had earlier confirmed that Martinez was conscious when he left the stadium and had been taken to hospital for precautionary examinations. “For now, we need to wait,” Alonso told reporters. He added: “It was a concussion, but more than that.
I saw just one clip, but we’ll have to wait.” Chelsea secured all three points through two goals from Pedro Neto, ending Everton’s unbeaten start to the campaign and keeping their first clean sheet of the season. Neto dedicated the victory to the injured goalkeeper, telling TNT Sports: “We are really pleased. Shame for Emi, but we wish you all the best. This win is for him.” Everton manager David Moyes also