Updated 17:24, 04 May 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nJesse Derry suffered a nasty head injury(Image: AFP\/Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/p>\n
Chelsea youngster Jesse Derry had to be taken off on a stretcher and rushed to hospital after a horrible clash of heads. The 18-year-old was making his first start in the Premier League on Monday when he clashed with Nottingham Forest defender Zach Abbott at the end of the first half.<\/p>\n
The two young players were jumping for a bouncing ball in the penalty area after a Chelsea corner in the 44th minute when they collided. Players for both sides looked immediately concerned and broadcasters did not show replays.<\/p>\n
Referee Anthony Taylor immediately awarded a penalty and the medical staff rushed on to treat the injured players. While Abbott got up fairly quickly and was replaced by Neco Williams as a concussion substitute, Derry was seen lying on the ground in a worse state.<\/p>\n
After a lengthy delay, the Chelsea winger was eventually replaced by Liam Delap as he was taken off the pitch on a stretcher. To make matters worse for Chelsea, Cole Palmer then saw his penalty saved by Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels, which kept the scoreline at 2-0 to the away side.<\/p>\n
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!<\/strong> Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football’s Facebook page<\/p>\nREAD MORE: Rio Ferdinand fires brutal personal dig at Jamie Carragher as feud escalates after Man Utd win<\/span><\/span>READ MORE: Unai Emery gets verdict on Premier League integrity as defeat by Tottenham questioned<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nChelsea released a statement shortly after, which read: “Jesse Derry has been taken to hospital as a precaution following his first-half substitution during today\u2019s #PL game against Nottingham Forest.<\/p>\n
“Jesse is conscious, talking and undergoing precautionary checks. We wish him a speedy recovery and thank the medical staff for their swift response.”<\/p>\n
Ex-Premier League goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “It’s an unfortunate incident, there was no malice there. I think Derry just gets there just ahead of Zach Abbott and both players were on the ground.”<\/p>\n
Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith, on co-commentary for Sky Sports, said: “It was a 50\/50 ball in the air, really. I’m surprised he points to the spot. It’s a nasty clash of heads, both players look badly injured.”<\/p>\n
Derry, the son of ex-Premier League midfielder Shaun Derry, had been a bright presence for Chelsea on the left wing, with Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto absent at Stamford Bridge. The England under-19 international only made his Chelsea debut in February as a substitute in the 4-0 win over Hull in the FA Cup.<\/p>\n
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\nJesse Derry clashed heads with Zach Abbott(Image: AFP\/Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/div>\n
But his injury compounded a miserable first half for Chelsea, who went into the break 2-0 down following Taiwo Awoniyi’s early header and Igor Jesus’ penalty after Malo Gusto pulled his shirt in the box.<\/p>\n
Forest made eight changes to their starting line-up for the Premier League game, with one eye on the second leg of their Europa League semi-final against Aston Villa later in the week. But Chelsea, who came into the game on the back of five straight league defeats, were second best in the opening stages.<\/p>\n
The home side were booed off at half-time, having gone five and a half league games without scoring. And things went from bad to worse after the break when Awoniyi’s second, and Forest’s third.<\/p>\n
There was then another lengthy delay after a clash of heads between Morgan Gibbs-White and Chelsea ‘keeper Robert Sanchez with both players also forced to go off.<\/p>\n
Joao Pedro scored a late consolation, but that wasn’t enough as Chelsea lost for the sixth straight game in the Premier League.<\/p>\n
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