Pedro Neto scored twice in the second half as Chelsea ran out 2-0 winners away to Everton on Saturday. The result ended the Blues’ wait for a clean sheet and handed their hosts a first defeat of the season. Everton 0-2 Chelsea was only part of the story at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, however. A worrying injury to goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez overshadowed the afternoon. His condition will concern everyone at the club far more than the scoreline.
Everton 0-2 Chelsea: how the match turned
After a goalless first half in which clear chances were at a premium, Everton 0-2 Chelsea turned within a minute of the restart. Neto put the visitors in front, and the defining moment followed soon after. Martinez collided with two Everton players as he cleared a free-kick midway through the second half and required lengthy treatment on the pitch. The stoppage lasted around five minutes before medical staff moved the goalkeeper onto a stretcher. Alonso confirmed afterwards that Martinez left the stadium conscious and was taken to hospital for precautionary tests, with further assessment pending.
As a result, Belgian goalkeeper Mike Penders came on for a Premier League debut in the most testing of circumstances, and he helped see the result home. He even produced one assured punch under pressure as Everton pushed for a way back. Chelsea managed the remainder of the contest, and Neto made sure of the points deep in stoppage time. A free-kick hit the wall and broke loose. Neto slid the ball into the bottom corner, leaving Jordan Pickford with no chance and sealing Everton 0-2 Chelsea.
Attention turns to Martinez
Alonso also confirmed that Malo Gusto missed the game through illness, while Pep Chavarria will undergo tests on Sunday after picking up a problem in training on Friday. Xabi Alonso used his bench to close the game out. Moises Caicedo, Jorrel Hato and the two-goal hero Neto all came off late in front of 52,271 spectators. Everton kept things tight through the first 45 minutes, but the defeat ends their unbeaten start to the campaign. Few expected that outcome as previewed here.
After Everton 0-2 Chelsea, attention turns to Martinez’s condition. Expect further updates from the club in the coming days. The squad then regroups for the next round of fixtures. The Women’s team, meanwhile, are also in action on Sunday, hosting Tottenham at Stamford Bridge at 12 noon.
Image credit: Hill Dickinson Stadium during Everton’s inaugural Premier League match in August 2025. Photo: Austiñobobbiño / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Landscape crop.
