Some football stories are remembered for trophies, spectacular saves and heroic performances, while others remain forever associated with horrifying scenes on the pitch. Whenever Chelsea goalkeepers and serious head injuries are mentioned, it is almost impossible not to look back at October 14, 2006, and the moment that changed Petr Cech's career forever. Almost two decades later, Emiliano Martinez's latest head injury has once again brought back memories of one of the most disturbing incidents in Premier League history.October 14, 2006 was the day Petr Cech nearly saw his career come to an end. Chelsea were visiting Reading in the Premier League, and the match had barely started when a horrifying incident shocked the football world. Cech, then one of the best goalkeepers on the planet, rushed off his line to collect the ball but collided with Stephen Hunt, whose knee struck the Czech goalkeeper in the head.DID YOU KNOW? Petr Čech's famous helmet exists because a goalkeeper nearly died on the pitch. On October 14, 2006, Reading's Stephen Hunt's knee hit Čech's head within the first minute. It caused a depressed skull fracture. 🧤💔 Čech was 24 and playing for Chelsea at Reading's Madejski Stadium.— Kwame⚡️ (@UTDxKwame) October 16, 2026 Cech suffered a depressed skull fracture and was rushed to hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. Two metal plates were inserted into his skull, and at that moment, nobody could say with certainty when he would return to football — or whether he would ever be able to stand between the posts again.To make matters even worse, he was not the only Chelsea goalkeeper to end up on the ground that day. His replacement, Carlo Cudicini, also suffered a serious collision and lost consciousness following contact with Ibrahima Sonko. The situation became so dramatic that captain John Terry eventually had to take over in goal.It was a day that demonstrated just how dangerous a goalkeeper's job can be. While football is often viewed through the lens of spectacular saves and impressive interventions, Cech's case reminded everyone that a split second can change someone's life forever.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Nevertheless, what followed was an extraordinary comeback.Two decades later, Chelsea supporters were once again confronted with scenes that brought back memories of Cech's accident. On Saturday, October 17, 2026, during Chelsea's away match against Everton, Emiliano Martínez suffered a serious collision with the hosts' defender Jarrad Branthwaite.Chelsea's goalkeeper came out to deal with a set-piece in the penalty area, but a fierce head-to-head collision occurred as he attempted to intervene. Both players remained on the ground, prompting medical teams to rush onto the pitch immediately.🚨🔵 𝗡𝗘𝗪: Dibu Martínez is doing well and is conscious in the hospital. The results of the head tomography and the back and neck studies came back fine. He has a bone injury in the jaw and that's why he stayed in the hospital. 📰 @gastonedul https://t.co/004qO1gFMt— Chels Zone (@TheChelsZoneX) October 17, 2026 While Branthwaite was allowed to continue after being examined, Martinez received treatment for several minutes. The Argentine was eventually carried off on a stretcher, causing concern among teammates, opponents and supporters inside the stadium.Initial reports were cautious. Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso confirmed that the goalkeeper had left the stadium conscious and had been taken to hospital for further examinations. In situations like these, the most important thing is not the scoreline but determining whether a player has suffered more serious injuries to the head, neck or spine.Further information subsequently emerged. According to a Reuters report published, Argentinian had suffered a jaw injury and a concussion before undergoing surgery. The Argentine goalkeeper later issued an update from hospital, confirming that the procedure had been successful.18.30: (3.05) M' gladbach (3.60) Hoffenheim (2.25)Chelsea, meanwhile, managed to preserve their lead and secure a 2-0 victory, but the result was overshadowed by an incident that served as another reminder of how quickly a football match can turn into a fight for a player's health.Petr Cech survived an injury that could have ended his career and returned to become one of the world's leading goalkeepers. Emiliano Martínez now faces his own road to recovery. Their stories are not identical, but they carry the same message: no match, no point and no trophy is more important than a footballer's health.For Chelsea supporters, October 14, 2006, and October 17, 2026, will remain dates that bring back painful memories and serve as a reminder that the most important victories are sometimes the ones that never appear on the scoreboard.PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 7SaturdayEverton – Chelsea 0-2 (0-0)/Neto 46, 90+1/Brentford – Liverpool 1-2 (1-0)/Lewis-Potter 44 – Munoz 62, Isak 70/Fulham – Hull 1-0 (1-0)/Iwobi 33/Man.City – Ipswich 3-2 (2-1)/Foden 19, Haaland 34, 69 – Maeda 21, Flemming 90(p)/Newcastle – Aston Villa 0-1 (0-1)/Manzambi 36/Sunday16.00: (2.10) Bournemouth (3.45) Sunderland (3.50) 16.00: (1.55) Brighton (4.50) Crystal Palace (5.40) 16.00: (2.40) Leeds (3.45) Man.Utd. (2.90)18.30: (5.80) Nott.Forest (3.80) Arsenal (1.62) Monday22.00: (1.50) Tottenham (4.30) Coventry (6.50)***odds are subject to change***