Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was transferred to a local medical facility for precautionary checks following a head injury sustained during Chelsea’s away fixture against Everton.

The incident took place during the second half at Hill Dickinson Stadium when the Argentine shot-stopper collided with opposing defender Jarrad Branthwaite while trying to collect a high ball. Medical staff treated the player on the pitch for an extended period before he was stretchered away and substituted.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso addressed the media after the match, confirming that the goalkeeper had suffered a concussion. Alonso noted that the player remained conscious upon leaving the venue and was undergoing standard evaluations at the hospital, while the club awaits further updates on his condition.

The health scare overshadowed a successful afternoon for the visitors, who secured a 2-0 triumph thanks to a pair of goals from Pedro Neto. The result also ended a significant defensive drought for the London club, marking their first Premier League clean sheet in nine months. Prior to the match, the team had struggled defensively, conceding a high number of goals and facing criticism regarding their resilience during away fixtures in the north of England.

Alonso deployed a tactical shift for the game, utilizing a back three alongside disciplined midfield protection from Moises Caicedo and Jordan Henderson. The defensive adjustments limited Everton to minimal scoring opportunities throughout the 90 minutes.

Following the injury, 21-year-old goalkeeper Mike Penders entered the contest to make his Premier League debut, successfully seeing out the remainder of the fixture. Penders could face an extended run in the starting lineup depending on the outcome of Martinez's medical evaluations and standard head injury recovery protocols.

Chelsea's upcoming schedule features a demanding sequence of fixtures, including domestic league encounters against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, alongside a cup tie against Liverpool. The availability of their primary goalkeeper for these upcoming matches remains uncertain pending the final medical assessment.

Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC Sport. Read the original report at BBC Sport.