Chelsea Goalkeeper Emi Martinez says she hopes to “be back in a few weeks” after undergoing surgery following a heavy clash of heads on Saturday.
The shot-stopper was involved in a sickening collision with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite as both players challenged each other for a cross during the second half at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The game was stopped for more than eight minutes while medical personnel attended to Martinez on the field.
The World Cup winner was carefully immobilized, stretched off the field and taken straight to a waiting ambulance before being taken to a local hospital for emergency assessment and further surgery. Belgian youngster Mike Penders replaced him in goal, with the long save contributing to 11 minutes of added time.
Taking to Instagram on Sunday, Martinez moved quickly to reassure followers, sharing a photo from his hospital bed with an upbeat message:
“Thanks for all the messages, the operation went well. We’ll be back in a few weeks.”
The injury overshadowed an otherwise clinical performance from the Blues, who ran out 2-0 winners to break Everton’s unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign.
Before his untimely exit, Martinez had played a key role in repelling David Moyes’ side, including making a strong first-half save to deflect Jack Grealish’s effort over the bar.
The collective defensive effort preserved Chelsea’s first Premier League goal in nine months – ending a run of 22 games without a league shutout and lifting the Blues to fourth in the table.
While the three points gave plenty of reason for optimism, all eyes are now on Martinez’s road to recovery in the coming weeks.