Chelsea were excellent as Xabi Alonso’s side made it two wins from two, but the injury to Emi Martinez is a blow, and it could have been a lot worse, had Cole Palmer been shown a red card.

A first Premier League clean sheet since January, Chelsea secured all three points at Everton despite their dismal run when playing The Toffees away. Before Saturday, Chelsea had lost six of their last eight trips.

But a Pedro Neto brace was enough to win, despite the injury to Emi Martinez – his first clean sheet as a Chelsea goalkeeper. Martinez was unlucky to get injured, but Cole Palmer perhaps got away with one.

Joe Cole and Steve McManaman discuss Palmer tackle

Palmer had picked up a yellow card in the 65th minute during Saturday’s win, overly protesting to referee Paul Tierney after a foul against Moises Caicedo. Then, later, Palmer had Everton fans screaming for a red.

A late tackle on Jarrad Branthwaite near the corner flag could have warranted a second yellow, as the England defender threw himself in the air. But Tierney laughed it off, clearly aware there was no contact.

On Premier League Productions, Joe Cole and Steve McManaman think Palmer will have had his heart in his mouth. McManaman was asked for his verdict: “His heart probably did skip a beat at the end there.

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“Because you’ve seen referees get carried away and produce cards for it; there’s nothing in that. If anything, Branthwaite goes to ground too easily. Probably not [making that tackle on a yellow card].

“But he’s going to ground nowhere near the ball. There’s a little connection, but there’s nothing in that at all.” Then, Joe Cole explained how he liked Palmer’s newfound maturity: “There was no malicious intent.

“If anything, I’m happy that Palmer – you think, you’re 2-0 up, you have a sense of the time of the game, you know it’s done- and I like that from Palmer. He’s better off the ball; he’s improved that in his game.

“There’s a maturity in him. He recognises that he’s the one people look to. But his heart will have certainly skipped a beat; a less experienced ref could have brandished a yellow – and then it becomes a story.”

Palmer might be rested against Liverpool anyway

Had Tierney shown Palmer a second yellow card for his tackle on Branthwaite, he would have received a one-game ban. However, Palmer could be rested by Alonso on Wednesday night in the Carabao Cup.

The Blues go to Anfield to take on Andoni Iraola’s inconsistent Reds, who beat Brentford on Saturday. Given the nature of the competition, Alonso might give Palmer a rest instead of starting him again.

A ban then might not have made much difference. But at least now, Alonso has the option to pick Palmer on Wednesday night. It all depends on whether Alonso wants to risk his best players in the Carabao Cup.