Chelsea’s Emiliano Martinez undergoes surgery after collision at Everton
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Emiliano Martinez of Chelsea (centre) clashes with Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton during their English Premier League match on Oct 17.
PHOTO: EPA
- Emiliano Martinez had surgery after a collision with Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite. He said, “The operation went well” and hoped to return “in a few weeks”.
- Chelsea beat Everton 2-0, but the match was delayed by the injury. Pedro Neto scored twice, and the win ended Everton’s unbeaten league start.
- Mike Penders made his Premier League debut for Chelsea after Martinez went off. Xabi Alonso praised him, saying, “Mike has personality. He’s brave and we have full trust with him.”
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LIVERPOOL – Emiliano Martinez has undergone surgery following his collision with Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, the Chelsea goalkeeper said on Oct 18, after his club’s 2-0 English Premier League victory.
Pedro Neto’s double on Oct 17 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium ended Everton’s unbeaten start to the league season, but Chelsea’s victory was overshadowed by the lengthy injury stoppage in the second half.
Martinez and Branthwaite came together when Everton’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall whipped a free kick into the box and, although the defender was back on his feet after treatment, the Argentina goalkeeper required treatment from paramedics.
The 34-year-old was eventually strapped to a stretcher and carried off the field before being taken to hospital with a concussion, with Argentinian media reporting he had suffered a jaw injury in the collision.
Martinez, wearing a hospital gown, posted on social media early on Oct 18: “Thanks to everyone for the messages. The operation went well.
“The most important thing is that we won, and kept a clean sheet. In a few weeks, we’ll be back.”
Martinez’s injury forced Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso to give Mike Penders his Premier League debut, and the 21-year-old goalkeeper helped Chelsea keep their first clean sheet in the league since January.
Penders, a Belgian youth international, will likely have to step in until Martinez is cleared to return to training.
Chelsea host Tottenham Hotspur in the league on Oct 24, followed by a League Cup fourth-round game at Liverpool on Oct 28 and a home Premier League match against Manchester United three days later.
“Mike has personality. He’s brave and we have full trust in him. He did well,” Alonso told reporters.
“He played in the cup games and whenever he’s needed; like the other players whenever they are needed they can perform.
“It’s all about the squad, that all the players feel important and can have their moment whenever they are needed, and that’s very positive.” REUTERS