Neto Scores Twice as Chelsea Beat Everton 2-0, Martinez Taken to Hospital

Chelsea beat Everton 2-0 at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, October 17, 2026, with Pedro Neto scoring both goals in the second half. The win ended Everton's unbeaten start to the Premier League season. It was overshadowed by a head injury to Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who was carried off on a stretcher and taken to hospital after a clash of heads with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite.

The first half was tight and rough. Referee Paul Tierney showed five yellow cards before the break, and both sides struggled to create clear chances. Martinez made two good saves shortly before the half hour, gathering a close-range header and then tipping a half-volley from Jack Grealish over the bar. At the other end, Moises Caicedo came closest for Chelsea when his volley hit the crossbar.

Neto strikes at the start of the second half

Chelsea scored 46 seconds after the restart, in the 46th minute. Morgan Rogers brought the ball down deep in Everton territory and played in Jorrel Hato down the left. Hato ran into the box and picked out Neto unmarked at the back post, and Neto guided the ball into the near bottom corner past Jordan Pickford.

Everton had come into the match as one of three unbeaten teams in the league, with the joint strongest defensive record. They had won only two of their first six games, though, and they rarely looked like finding a way back once they fell behind.

Martinez injury stops the match

The match stopped in the 66th minute. Martinez came out to punch away a deep set piece into the Chelsea box at the same moment Branthwaite went to head the ball. The two clashed heads and both went down. Branthwaite sat up with a cut to his nose and lower lip and was able to return in the 75th minute. Martinez stayed down.

Medical staff treated Martinez on the pitch for several minutes while players from both teams stood back. Pickford, the Everton goalkeeper, walked up the pitch to check on him. Martinez was awake and moving as he was lifted onto a stretcher and carried off. He was taken to hospital for further treatment and assessment. Mike Penders came on in the 75th minute for his first Chelsea appearance, and he became the youngest goalkeeper to play for Chelsea in the Premier League.

Eleven minutes were added at the end of the match because of the long stoppage.

Neto seals it late

Chelsea held their lead through the closing stages, and Neto finished the match in the 90th minute. A free kick from Jordan Henderson hit an Everton defender and bounced around the box before it fell to Neto, who put the ball calmly past Pickford for his second goal.

The result gave Chelsea their first clean sheet in 23 matches and their first away win of the season, according to The Sun's match report. It also moved Chelsea up to fourth place in the table at the final whistle. Everton's first defeat leaves them to regroup before their next match, while Chelsea wait for news on Martinez. Penders could make his first Premier League start next Saturday when Tottenham Hotspur visit Stamford Bridge if Martinez needs time to recover.