Chelsea goalkeeper Emi Martinez was taken to hospital with a serious head injury during Saturday's match against Everton, with boos heard as he left the pitch on a stretcher.
Martinez clashed heads with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite in the second half, and Chelsea's players immediately signalled towards the bench as the Argentine goalkeeper lay motionless on the ground. The 34-year-old, signed in a £7.5 million deal from Aston Villa in the summer transfer window, required oxygen from emergency medical staff and received extensive treatment on the pitch for over 10 minutes.
As Martinez was carried off the field, boos could be heard around the Hill Dickinson Stadium, although the majority of Everton supporters were seen applauding the goalkeeper.
Commentator highlights response
Daniel Mann, commentator for Premier League Productions, highlighted the response inside the stadium as Martinez was carried off. 'One of the game's great goalkeepers leaves the stage in distressing circumstances,' Mann said. 'I find it quite extraordinary that that should be booed by anyone in this stadium.' His co-commentator, Jim Beglin, added: 'Hear, hear.'
During the stoppage, Everton supporters also reacted with boos towards the section of away Chelsea fans who were chanting 'sign on, sign on' and 'we pay for your benefits' while Martinez received treatment.
Fans divided over target of boos
After the match, a dispute emerged between Everton supporters, with many claiming the boos were directed at Chelsea fans instead of Martinez. Jean Breeze, an Everton supporter, wrote in an online fan group: 'Nobody was booing Martinez. The boos were against the Chelsea fans. Criticise them for showing lack of concern for their own goalkeeper when they'd rather chant poverty comments against the opposition.'
However, David Sullivan, an Everton supporter sat in the North Stand, disputed that suggestion. 'Sorry, but no they were not,' Sullivan wrote. 'The boos from the people sat near me were very definitely aimed at Martinez, as their accompanying comments made very clear. It was a minority of our fans but it did happen and to be frank, trying to pretend it was aimed at the Chelsea fans, is pathetic.'
Another Everton fan, Scot Kearney, who sat behind the goal where Martinez's injury took place, wrote: 'At best it was a few fans shouting stuff that was embarrassing and booing at Martinez but Neto was eyeballing the fans too which got some boos and the Chelsea fans were doing the poverty chants. The ref was getting it too. It was a mix of everything for about 10 mins. A lot of fans clapped him off.'
Martinez hospitalised after collision
Martinez was replaced by Belgian goalkeeper Mike Penders and immediately taken to hospital. 'As far as I know, he left the stadium conscious and right now he is in the hospital doing precautionary tests,' Xabi Alonso said after Chelsea's win. 'So let's see, but that's what I know so far. We need to wait. Hopefully it won't be too bad, but we need to wait at the moment.'
Two goals in the second half from Pedro Neto sealed a 2-0 win for Chelsea, who move up to fourth in the Premier League table.
