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Chelsea climbed into the Premier League top four on October 17, 2026, by defeating Everton 2-0 at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Pedro Neto scored both goals in the second half, while goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez suffered a severe head injury that required a lengthy stoppage and hospital transfer.
The visiting side broke open a tense, physical contest in Liverpool just after the interval. Barely a minute into the second half, defender Gorell Hato slipped a pass to Pedro Neto, who drove a left-footed shot past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. The strike built on a pattern for manager Xabi Alonso’s squad, which has now recorded six goals in the opening seven minutes of matches this season. Everton had controlled much of the first half through attempts by Merlin Rohl, Thierno Barry, and Jack Grealish, while Chelsea hit the crossbar via a powerful long-range effort from Moisés Caicedo.
Three points on Merseyside! ⚪️👊#CFC | #EVECHE pic.twitter.com/pwR3wQtM6Q
Emiliano Martínez Hospitalized After Collision With Garad Branthwaite
The victory was overshadowed by a serious collision in the 65th minute. As a free-kick from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall swung into the penalty area, goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez rushed off his line to collect the cross and collided heavily in the air with Everton defender Garad Branthwaite. The impact left the 34-year-old Argentine motionless on the turf.
Medical staff rushed onto the pitch, halting the match for more than ten minutes while they administered emergency care and applied oxygen. Martínez was eventually placed on a stretcher and transported directly to a local hospital in Liverpool. Xabi Alonso confirmed after the final whistle that the goalkeeper had suffered a concussion. Argentine media reports subsequently noted he also sustained a jaw fracture, requiring surgery that was successfully completed.
⬅️ Caicedo, Hato➡️ Lavia, Palestra🍬 0-2 ⚪️ [90] #CFC | #EVECHE pic.twitter.com/Xq7zvjyXEB
Thank you everyone for the messages. The surgery went well. The most important thing is that we won and kept a clean sheet. We will be back in a couple of weeks.
Mike Penders Makes Historic Debut in Goal
The departure of Martínez forced a substitution that reshaped the match’s closing stages. Twenty-one-year-old Belgian reserve goalkeeper Mike Penders stepped onto the pitch for his maiden Premier League appearance, becoming the youngest shot-stopper in club history to play in the competition. Penders handled several late challenges, including a stoppage-time header from Barry, to preserve the shutout.
Pedro Neto's double at Hill Dickinson Stadium ends @everton's unbeaten streak, helping @ChelseaFC climb into fourth place 👊 pic.twitter.com/PdsOs8nEbf
The clean sheet ended a defensive drought for the London club, marking their first match without conceding a goal in the league since January. With Martínez expected to miss several weeks of training following his jaw procedure, Alonso expressed confidence in his young deputy.
Mike has a special personality. He is brave and we trust him completely. He performed well. He played cup games, and whenever he is needed like the rest of the players, they are able to perform well whenever needed.
Pedro Neto Scores Stoppage Time Goal to Secure Victory
Deep into stoppage time at the end of the second half, Neto put the result beyond doubt in the 90th minute. Following a Jordan Henderson free-kick that rebounded off the wall, Everton’s defense failed to clear the loose ball, allowing the Portuguese forward to sweep a low right-footed shot past Pickford.
The double marked the first time Neto scored two goals in a single Premier League fixture across his 187 appearances in the competition. It also lifted his league tally for Chelsea to 12 goals in 76 matches, surpassing the 11 goals he scored across 111 appearances for Wolverhampton Wanderers.
It's a double for Pedro Neto 💥The @ChelseaFC man gets his brace to put the Blues 2-0 up against Everton 🔵 pic.twitter.com/gDODGCouQ5
This win is for Emi. We are happy with the result, but our hearts are all with him. Emi and Mike Penders completely deserve to keep clean sheets.
Pedro Neto, Chelsea Forward
The result snapped Everton’s unbeaten start to the season while moving Chelsea to 13 points from seven matches, slotting them provisionally into fourth place ahead of the remaining weekend fixtures.
