Martinez expects return 'in a few weeks' after surgery following head clash at Everton

Emiliano Martinez has confirmed he expects to be back playing “in a few weeks” after undergoing surgery following a head collision during Chelsea’s 2-0 Premier League victory at Everton. The Argentinian goalkeeper was stretchered off on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance after receiving more than eight minutes of on-pitch treatment in the 73rd minute.

Martinez collided with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite while both challenged for a cross. Posting from his hospital bed on Instagram, the goalkeeper wrote: “Thank you for all the messages, the operation went well. We’ll be back in a few weeks.”

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso addressed the incident immediately after the match, saying: “As far as I know, he left the stadium conscious. Right now he’s in the hospital doing precautionary tests.” He later added: “It was concussion but more than that I saw only one clip. Hopefully it won’t be too bad but we need to wait.”

Branthwaite was assessed by Everton’s medical staff on the pitch and cleared to continue.

Martinez was replaced by Belgian reserve goalkeeper Mike Penders, who made his Premier League debut with Chelsea leading 1-0. When play resumed, Pedro Neto scored his second goal of the game to seal the result — Chelsea’s first away win of the season and their first Premier League clean sheet in nine months, since a 2-0 win over Brentford on 17 January.

Match-winner Neto dedicated the result to Martinez. “We are really pleased. It is a shame for Emi but we wish him all the best. This win is for him,” the Portuguese forward said. “It’s in his honour. We needed a clean sheet. We needed a good game. Emi deserved this. Mike [Penders] who came in deserved this as well.”