The incident, which occurred late in the match, saw Palmer go down after Martinez’s tackle, sparking immediate concern among fans and prompting Chelsea’s medical staff to rush to his side.
Although Palmer managed to leave the field without assistance, he was seen limping, which added to fears about his availability for upcoming matches.
The tackle itself was reviewed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), which assessed whether Martinez’s challenge warranted a red card.
However, officials determined it was a reckless, but not overly dangerous, play, allowing Martinez to escape with a yellow card.
This decision drew mixed reactions, with many Chelsea supporters feeling that the tackle was more severe and deserving of a harsher penalty.
Head coach Enzo Maresca shared his own frustration post-match, suggesting that Martinez should have been sent off for what he felt was an overly aggressive challenge.
In his post-game interview, Maresca confirmed that Palmer had applied ice to his knee and was receiving further treatment.
However, he remained optimistic, stating, “Hopefully, it’s nothing serious.”
This week provides Chelsea with a brief reprieve, as Palmer will not be traveling for the team’s upcoming Conference League fixture against Noah due to his ineligibility in that competition.
This gives him additional time to recover and be evaluated ahead of Chelsea’s next Premier League showdown against Arsenal, a critical match where his presence could be essential.
The injury comes at an unfortunate time for Chelsea, as Palmer has been in excellent form since joining the squad.
Fans are hopeful that his condition will improve swiftly, allowing him to continue making an impact as Chelsea aims to secure a higher standing in the league.
Further updates from the club’s medical team are expected within the coming days, as both fans and management remain hopeful for a positive outcome.
