Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was rushed to hospital after being stretchered off following a gruesome clash of heads in the second half of their Premier League game against Everton.

The match was suspended for around nine minutes after Martinez was involved in a sickening collision with Toffees defender Jarrad Branthwaite midway through the second half.

The two players banged heads while competing for the ball inside the Chelsea box, sparking immediate concern for their welfare.

They both stayed motionless on the pitch as medical teams from both sides raced on to provide initial treatment. Branthwaite eventually climbed to his feet and was able to continue playing after a lengthy concussion assessment.

Martinez, however, was in a bad way and a stretcher was called to carry him off the field of play. He received oxygen on the pitch and appeared to move his arms as he was being transported down the tunnel.

As he was being treated by medics, Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford walked the length of the field to check on his opposite number.

After coming off the pitch, Martinez was immediately taken to hospital for additional checks. No further update on his condition has been provided as of yet.

As a result of the sickening incident, Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso was forced to bring on Mike Penders for his Premier League debut between the sticks.

Chelsea were leading by a single goal at the time of the stoppage, with Pedro Neto opening the scoring for the visitors a minute into the second half.

TNT Sports commentator Owen Hargreaves said: "Emi Martinez and Jarrad Branthwaite are both so brave there. They both think they can get there. I just hope they're both OK.

"[The concussion protocol] comes from the NFL because they saw what happened to a lot of players after their careers and the side effects that they had and the impact.

"That was almost like an NFL collision because they were so committed and so vulnerable. A clash of heads and there's no protection at all, no helmets. I just hope he's OK."

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