Chelsea’s Jesse Derry stretchered off after worrying collision on Premier League debut
The 18-year-old was named in the starting XI for the first time but was forced off after a serious-looking collision
Chelsea youngster Jesse Derry was taken off the field at Stamford Bridge on a stretcher and hospitalised after a sickening collision with Nottingham Forest ’s Zach Abbott. The 18-year-old was making his first senior start for the club and had been one of their brightest sparks, trying to get the team back into the game after going 2-0 down in the first half. But his first start came to a horrible end as he clashed heads with Abbott in the box as both leapt for the ball 44 minutes in, with Derry getting there marginally quicker and winning a penalty.
The welfare of both players - both academy players earning a rare first-team appearance - was the immediate concern however as both went to ground. Derry had been one of Chelsea's biggest attacking threats prior to his injury (PA) The 18-year-old was attended to by medical staff and taken off on a stretcher (Getty) Derry’s teammates swiftly signalled the need for the substitution to be made, while referee Anthony Taylor immediately called for medical staff to attend to the pair. Abbott appeared shaken but was able to stand unassisted and walk off the pitch, with Forest using a concussion substitute and replacing the 19-year-old defender with Neco Williams.
Derry remained on the ground for some time surrounded by medical staff. He was given oxygen during an eight-and-a-half minute stoppage. Stamford Bridge gave him a standing ovation as he was taken off on the stretcher and taken to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for precautionary checks.
He was replaced by Liam Delap, while Matz Sels made a fingertip save from Cole Palmer from the spot, leaving the hosts still 2-0 down going into half-time. A heavily bandaged Gibbs-White was immediately substituted (PA) There was further concern early in the second half as Forest substitute Morgan Gibbs-White, who came on after half-time, clashed heads with Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez competing for a 50-50 ball in the Blues’ box. Gibbs-White came off worse in the incident but fortunately for both sides the pair were able to walk off the pitch unaided after both had their heads heavily bandaged.