Martinez Injury Overshadows Chelsea Win

On the 7th matchday of the Premier League, Chelsea won 2-0 against Everton. However, the sporting action was overshadowed.

In Liverpool, two teams met who could not approach football more differently. Xabi Alonso and Chelsea had scored 15 goals and conceded 13 after six games. Everton, however, had only scored eight goals and conceded five, and were still unbeaten.

In the table, however, both teams were level on points in fifth and sixth place before the match.

At the beginning of the game, both teams felt each other out. Everton made their first real attacking move through Barry. After a cross from Grealish, the striker was completely free, but his shot was too central and Martinez was able to save (27').

Everton Create More Chances

Everton played a short corner and subsequently found Grealish at the far post. The winger took the ball on the volley and tried to surprise Martinez in the far corner with a bouncing shot. However, the Argentine tipped the ball over the bar with a strong save (30').

Shortly after, tempers flared. Tarkowski unnecessarily shoved Acheampong away after a corner. Rogers then confronted him. Both players received yellow cards after a heated exchange (32').

Then Chelsea made their first attacking appearance. After a corner, Caicedo shot at the far post. His volley rattled the crossbar, a lucky escape for Everton in this situation (39').

Serious Martinez Injury

Just before the half-time whistle, Chelsea once again had a chance to take the lead. Like every chance so far, it came from a corner. Lacroix directed his header well towards the far corner, but Armstrong was well-positioned and cleared off the line (45+1').

The Londoners started well after the break. Rogers secured the ball on the left and backheeled it through to Hato. He ran to the byline and found Neto in the middle. The Portuguese took it first-time, giving Pickford no chance and making it 1-0 (46').

In the 67th minute, there was a heavy collision. After a free-kick, Martinez and Branthwaite clashed heads. The centre-back was able to continue, but Martinez had to be stretchered off the field after eight minutes of treatment. The 21-year-old Penders subsequently made his Premier League debut.

Neto Bags a Brace

After that, the game was different. There was an almost stunned silence in Everton's stadium, and both teams needed some time to refocus on playing football.

After a strong ball win by Palmer, the "Blues" raced three-on-one towards Pickford's goal. Ultimately, however, it was Pedro who squandered the golden opportunity for 2-0 (86').

Chelsea were awarded a free-kick in the 90th minute. The ball was deflected off the wall and landed at Neto's feet. The Portuguese reacted quickest and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner for 2-0.

Chelsea thus moved past Everton and are provisionally fourth. Everton dropped to sixth place and lost their first game of the season.