Pedro Neto scored twice as Chelsea defeated Everton 2-0 in the Premier League on Saturday, but the victory was overshadowed by a head injury to goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
Neto opened the scoring 43 seconds into the second half at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, converting Jorrel Hato’s low cross. He added a second in the 90th minute, capitalizing on a blocked free kick to seal Chelsea’s first away win of the season and their first clean sheet in 23 Premier League games.
The match was halted for several minutes in the second half after Martinez collided with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite. The Argentina international was stretchered off, conscious but taken to hospital for precautionary tests. Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso confirmed Martinez was responsive when leaving the stadium. “As far as I know he left the stadium conscious. Right now he’s in the hospital doing the precautionary tests, so let’s see,” Alonso said .
The win lifted Chelsea above Everton into the top four. Alonso praised his team’s professionalism, while Everton manager David Moyes acknowledged Chelsea’s superior flair in key moments . Neto dedicated the victory to Martinez, saying, “This win is for him” .
