Chelsea goalkeeper Emi Martinez has undergone surgery following a collision with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite during last week's Premier League match. The 34-year-old suffered a concussion and a jaw injury in the incident, which occurred in the 2-0 defeat for Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. That result, a 2-0 loss on Saturday 17 October, saw Everton's record this season move to two wins, four draws and one loss from seven games, leaving them eighth in the Premier League with 10 points.

Martinez posted on social media to confirm the procedure was successful. "The operation went well," he said, adding that he expects to return to action within a few weeks. The injury forced Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso to hand a Premier League debut to 21-year-old Belgian youth international Mike Penders.

The collision happened from a set-piece. Everton midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall delivered a free kick into the Chelsea area, leading to the clash between Martinez and Branthwaite. The goalkeeper was subsequently taken to hospital for assessment and treatment. Pedro Neto scored both goals for Chelsea in the match, ending Everton's unbeaten start to the league campaign. Everton's overall goal difference this season stands at plus one, having scored eight and conceded seven.

With Martinez sidelined, Mike Penders was called upon for his top-flight debut. The young keeper responded by keeping a clean sheet, Chelsea's first in the league since January. Manager Xabi Alonso expressed his confidence in the replacement. "Mike has personality. He's brave and we have full trust with him. He did well," Alonso told reporters.

The defeat leaves Everton eighth in the Premier League table with 10 points from seven matches. Their recent form shows two wins, two draws and one loss from the last five games, a sequence that includes the draw at Hull City on 11 October and the 1-0 win over Ipswich on 19 September. The club's next challenge is a tough away fixture against second-placed Arsenal on Saturday, 24 October. Top scorer Tarryn Barry, with three goals this season, will be looking to lead the line as Everton aim to bounce back from the Chelsea result. The team now finds itself 11 points behind the league leaders, Manchester City.

This story first appeared at Hindustan Times Sports