Earlier this week we reported on Chelsea's late reshuffle before Everton, when Pep Chavarría dropped out after travelling. What changed on the pitch in Everton vs Chelsea was bigger than that selection issue. Chelsea finally kept their first Premier League clean sheet in nine months, ending a 23-match drought, but the aftermath was dominated by Emiliano Martínez being taken to hospital after a concussion scare.

Pedro Neto scored both goals, yet this felt more like a defensive reset than an attacking statement. Chelsea had conceded a league-high 13 goals before kick-off, so getting through an away game without conceding was badly needed even before Martínez's injury shifted the tone.

The clean sheet Chelsea badly needed

Chelsea had been waiting nine months for a Premier League clean sheet, and that number had become awkward because it cut across almost every discussion about the side. They had control in patches this season, but not the sort that survives an away game in this league.

This time they did. Everton managed only six shots, and Chelsea allowed 0.45 expected goals, their best defensive performance by that metric so far. That does not make every defensive problem disappear, but it does give Xabi Alonso something solid to point to after weeks when Chelsea looked too open.

Speaking to bbc.co.uk, Alonso said: "We needed to show that we can win in this way,

We looked solid, we played solidly, we were strong and we stayed in control.

In the first half there were difficult periods with throw-ins, corners and pressure from Everton. You have to overcome those moments.

In the Premier League it is very hard to have complete control in an away game, but you cannot lose your shape or your conviction."

That assessment fits the numbers. Everton still had moments from restarts and pressure situations, but Chelsea did a much better job of dealing with those spells than they had in many of the previous 23 league matches.

Martínez concern changes the mood

The game turned in the 68th minute, when Martínez collided with Jarrad Branthwaite and needed treatment. He was then taken to hospital, and there was an eight-minute stoppage before Mike Penders replaced him.

Alonso told bbc.co.uk: "It was a concussion, but beyond that I do not know. I have only seen one clip of the incident, so we need to wait.

What we know is that he left the stadium conscious and is now in hospital undergoing precautionary tests.

We need to wait. Hopefully it will not be too serious, but at the moment we just have to wait."

That leaves the result in a slightly awkward place for Chelsea. A first league clean sheet in nine months should have been the obvious takeaway, especially with Neto scoring both goals and Hato supplying the assist for the breakthrough. Instead, the bigger issue is the goalkeeper's condition and what Chelsea learn from the tests.

There was still value in the football part of it. Neto's brace took him to three Premier League goals this season, and Chelsea looked more controlled than they had for weeks. But the lasting image from Goodison was Martínez leaving after that collision, even on a day when Chelsea finally shut a team out.

FAQ

Why was Emiliano Martínez taken to hospital after Chelsea's win at Everton?

Martínez was taken to hospital after a collision with Jarrad Branthwaite in the 68th minute. Xabi Alonso said it was a concussion, that Martínez left the stadium conscious and was undergoing precautionary tests.

How long had Chelsea gone without a Premier League clean sheet before Everton?

Chelsea had gone nine months without a Premier League clean sheet, a run that stretched to 23 league matches before the win at Everton. They also came into the game having conceded a league-high 13 goals.

Did Pedro Neto score both goals for Chelsea against Everton?

Yes. Pedro Neto scored both goals in Chelsea's win, and his brace took him to three Premier League goals this season. Jorrel Hato provided the assist for Chelsea's attacking breakthrough.

Did Chelsea actually defend well at Everton or just get away with it?

The defensive numbers point to a genuinely controlled away display. Everton managed only six shots, while Chelsea allowed 0.45 expected goals, their best defensive performance by that metric so far this season.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →