Chelsea youngster Jesse Derry was taken off the field at Stamford Bridge on a stretcher 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’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. Stamford Bridge gave him a standing ovation as he was taken off on the stretcher around 10 minutes after the initial clash.
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.
Taiwo Awoniyi opened the scoring inside the first two minutes before Igor Jesus scored a penalty after a shirt-pull in the box by Malo Gusto on Awoniyi.
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