Chelsea goalkeeper Emi Martinez says he expects to be “back in a few weeks” after undergoing surgery following a severe clash of heads on Saturday.

The shot-stopper was involved in a sickening collision with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite as both players challenged for a cross during the second half at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The match was halted for over eight minutes while medical personnel attended to Martinez on the pitch.

The World Cup winner was carefully immobilised, stretchered off the field, and taken directly to a waiting ambulance before being transported to a local hospital for emergency evaluation and subsequent surgery. Belgian youngster Mike Penders came on to replace him in goal, with the lengthy stoppage contributing to 11 minutes of added time.

Taking to Instagram on Sunday, Martinez moved quickly to reassure supporters, sharing a photo from his hospital bed with an optimistic message:

“Thank you for all the messages, the operation went well. We’ll be back in a few weeks.”

The injury cast a shadow over an otherwise clinical away performance from the Blues, who ran out 2-0 winners to snap Everton’s unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign.

Before his premature exit, Martinez had played a key role in repelling David Moyes’ side, including producing a sharp first-half save to tip Jack Grealish’s effort over the crossbar.

The collective defensive effort preserved Chelsea’s first Premier League clean sheet in nine months – halting a 22-game run without a league shutout and lifting the Blues up into fourth in the table.

While the three points provided plenty of reason for optimism, all eyes now turn to Martinez’s road to recovery over the coming weeks.