Emiliano Dibu Martínez carried off on stretcher after head collision

Stretcher Exit at Goodison Park

Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez left the pitch on a stretcher after a severe head collision during Chelsea’s victory over Everton in the Premier League. The incident occurred in the 64th minute at Goodison Park when the Argentina goalkeeper collided with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite while claiming an aerial cross, according to reports. The victory by a two-goal margin was overshadowed by the physical state of the Argentina national team regular, as the goalkeeper from Mar del Plata had to be taken off on a stretcher and replaced in a scene that pushed the sporting result far into the background.

Seventh Matchday Free Kick Sparks Chaos

The incident unfolded during the seventh matchday of the 2026/27 Premier League season. Everton mounted pressure in search of an equalizer when a dangerous free kick sent the ball into the penalty area. Martínez rushed off his line to punch the ball clear, succeeding in the clearance but absorbing a violent impact from Branthwaite. Both players collapsed to the turf, prompting immediate medical intervention.

Immediate Pitchside Medical Attention

Medical personnel rushed onto the pitch to treat the Argentina international and the English defender. Following several minutes of evaluation, attending physicians determined that Martínez could not continue in the match. Staff placed the goalkeeper on a stretcher and carried him off the field amidst applause, where Martínez raised a hand to reassure the crowd before heading down the tunnel. While being substituted, he received a broad ovation from the Hill Dickinson Stadium, which the goalkeeper calmed by raising his hand.

Pedro Neto Seals Interim Fifth Place

Pedro Neto scored twice for Chelsea, opening the scoring in the 46th minute and adding a second later in the match to seal the 2–0 result. The win lifts the visitors temporarily into fifth place in the Premier League standings. The result allows Xabi Alonso’s team to provisionally place itself as the fifth-ranked competitor in the British championship. However, post-match attention centered entirely on the physical condition of the goalkeeper rather than the final scoreline, with supporters across Argentina monitoring updates on the national team regular.

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