Chelsea climbed into the top four with a 2-0 victory at Everton, ending a nine-month wait for a Premier League clean sheet. Pedro Neto scored both goals in the second half, but the result was overshadowed by a serious head injury to goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who was taken to hospital for precautionary tests after a collision with Jarrad Branthwaite.
The incident occurred around the 67th minute as Martinez came to claim a free-kick cross from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. He collided heavily with the Everton defender and required lengthy treatment. Play was stopped for nearly ten minutes before he was stretchered off and replaced by 21-year-old Mike Penders, who made his Premier League debut. Some home supporters booed as Martinez left the pitch, though the majority applauded. Manager Xabi Alonso later confirmed it was a concussion and said Martinez left the stadium conscious while further tests were carried out.
Neto opened the scoring 43 seconds into the second half. Jorrel Hato, who started in place of the injured Pep Chavarria, delivered a low cross after receiving a back-heel from Morgan Rogers, and Neto finished past Jordan Pickford. He added a second in the 90th minute after Jordan Henderson’s free-kick struck the wall and the ball fell kindly for him to roll home. It was Neto’s first Premier League brace.
Chelsea had conceded in each of their previous 22 league matches and had not kept a clean sheet since a 2-0 win over Brentford in January. Martinez made important early saves, including denying Thierno Barry, before Penders took over and dealt comfortably with the remaining pressure, including 11 minutes of added time. The visitors restricted Everton to limited clear chances and showed improved defensive organisation after a first half in which they faced sustained pressure from throw-ins, corners and set pieces.
Alonso said the performance demonstrated Chelsea could win without relying solely on outscoring opponents. “We needed to show that we can win in this way,” he said. “We looked solid. We played solid. 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.”
Everton suffered their first league defeat of the season under David Moyes. They created little of note after the interval, with Josh Acheampong limiting Jack Grealish’s influence. The result moves Chelsea into fourth place, at least temporarily, while Everton sit sixth. Attention now turns to Martinez’s recovery and whether Penders is ready for upcoming fixtures against Tottenham and a Carabao Cup trip to Liverpool.
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