At Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, a night that ended with Chelsea’s 2-0 win and Pedro Neto’s two goals was overshadowed by a serious injury to Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez, who has since confirmed that surgery was successful.
From the collision to hospital
- Martínez suffered a heavy head-to-head collision with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite during Saturday’s match between Everton and Chelsea.
- The 34-year-old required around ten anxious minutes of treatment on the pitch before being immobilised and carried off on a stretcher.
- Medical staff fitted him with a neck brace and administered oxygen following the incident.
- He was taken to hospital and underwent an operation later that day.
Martínez confirms successful operation
Posting from hospital on Sunday morning, dressed in a hospital gown, Martínez reassured supporters that the procedure had gone well.
“Thank you all for the messages. The operation went well,” he said.
He also retained his familiar sense of humour in reflecting on the result: “The most important thing is that we won and kept a clean sheet. I’ll be back in a few weeks.”
Pedro Neto’s double decided the match 2-0 for Chelsea, but the immediate concern after the final whistle was Martínez’s condition. His update offers encouraging news after a worrying scene on Merseyside.
