Chelsea secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, but the result was overshadowed by a worrying head injury suffered by goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who was stretchered off and taken to hospital for precautionary tests.

While Pedro Neto's brace ended Chelsea's long wait for a Premier League clean sheet and dealt Everton their first league defeat of the season, the Blues were left waiting for news on Martínez after a frightening collision with Everton defender, Jarrad Branthwaite.

The Argentina international received extended treatment on the pitch before being carried off while receiving oxygen.

The incident raised immediate concerns for Chelsea, who had finally ended their defensive struggles but were forced to replace their experienced goalkeeper during a crucial period of the match.

Martínez Stretchered Off After Frightening Collision

The incident occurred in the second half when Martínez rushed off his line to punch an Everton free-kick out of Chelsea's penalty area.

The 34-year-old collided with Branthwaite as both players challenged for the ball, leaving them requiring medical attention.

While the Everton defender recovered quickly enough to continue, Martínez needed prolonged treatment from Chelsea's medical staff and paramedics.

The goalkeeper was eventually stretchered off the pitch while receiving oxygen.

Martínez was replaced by 21-year-old goalkeeper Mike Penders, who came on to make his Premier League debut.

The officials subsequently added 11 minutes of injury time following the lengthy interruption.

The sight of Martínez being carried off overshadowed the closing stages of a match Chelsea had largely controlled, with the club awaiting further information about his condition.

Alonso Confirms Martínez Was Taken to Hospital

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso addressed the situation after the match, confirming that Martínez had been conscious when he left the stadium.

The coach said the goalkeeper had been taken to hospital for precautionary examinations following the head injury.

Although the initial update offered some reassurance, no further medical diagnosis was provided in the information available after the match.

Chelsea will therefore be hoping for a positive update on the Argentine, whose injury became the major talking point despite the importance of the three points secured at Everton.

Neto's Brace Gives Chelsea Crucial Victory

Before the concern surrounding Martínez took centre stage, Pedro Neto delivered the goals that secured Chelsea's victory.

The Portuguese winger opened the scoring seconds into the second half, finishing after Jorrel Hato's low delivery into the penalty area.

Neto showed composure to send the ball through a defender's legs, leaving Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford unable to keep it out despite getting a hand to the effort.

Chelsea continued to threaten as they looked to extend their advantage.

Moisés Caicedo came close with a stunning volley that struck the angle of the post and crossbar, while Cole Palmer also tested Everton's defence with several attempts.

Everton searched for an equaliser but struggled to create enough clear-cut chances after falling behind.

Neto eventually settled the contest in the 90th minute.

After Jordan Henderson's free-kick struck the wall, the loose ball fell into the Chelsea attacker's path, and he calmly rolled his finish into the bottom corner.

The goal completed Neto's first Premier League brace, achieved in his 187th appearance in the English top flight.

Speaking after the match, Neto dedicated the victory to his injured teammate.

" We are really pleased. Shame for Emi but we wish you all the best."

" This win is for him ," Neto told TNT Sports.

Chelsea Finally End Long Clean-Sheet Drought

The victory was significant beyond the three points, as Chelsea ended a run of 22 Premier League games without a clean sheet.

The Blues had last recorded a league clean sheet on January 17, making Saturday's defensive performance an important milestone for Alonso's side.

Despite Martínez's departure, Chelsea managed to keep Everton from scoring, with substitute Penders helping the visitors see out the match.

The result also marked Chelsea's second away win against Everton in their last 10 attempts, ending a difficult run at the Merseyside club.

Everton's Unbeaten Start Comes to an End

Everton entered the match among the Premier League's remaining unbeaten teams, alongside Manchester City and Brentford.

However, David Moyes' side were unable to extend that run against Chelsea and suffered their first league defeat of the season.

The hosts had opportunities to take the lead during a feisty first half that ended goalless.

Maxence Lacroix saw a header cleared off the line by Harrison Armstrong, while Thierno Barry missed a close-range header that went straight at Martínez.

Barry, Everton's only senior striker, had attempted 25 shots in the Premier League this season but had scored only three times, exposing the team's problems in front of goal.

The first half also featured several flashpoints, with five bookings. Everton felt Morgan Rogers should have received a second yellow card following a 50-50 challenge involving James Garner.

Chelsea eventually took control through Neto's early second-half goal, and Everton struggled to mount a serious response.

The hosts managed only two shots in the second half before Neto's late strike ended their hopes of recovering a point.

The defeat also prevented Everton from matching their longest unbeaten start to a Premier League season, achieved in 2006-07 when they recorded three wins and four draws in their opening seven matches.

Chelsea Move Fourth on Premier League Table

The victory lifted Chelsea to fourth place in the Premier League table, while Everton sat sixth before the remainder of the weekend's fixtures.

The result delivered a much-needed defensive breakthrough and an important away win and a landmark performance for Pedro Neto after scoring twice in the same league match for the first time.

For now, the focus remains on Martínez's recovery, with the club hoping the precautionary tests bring reassuring news after a frightening afternoon at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

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