Chelsea issue Jesse Derry health statement after star taken to hospital | Football | Sport

The two players jumped for a bouncing ball in the penalty area after a Chelsea corner, when the incident prompted both teams to show immediate concern. Sky Sports did not show any replays until a considerable amount of time had passed, with Derry given oxygen as he laid on the turf.

Referee Anthony Taylor had awarded a penalty in the aftermath, which was taken by Cole Palmer and saved by Matz Sels, with Forest leading 2-0 at the time. They went on to win 3-1.

Derry left the pitch on a stretcher as he received a standing ovation from both sets of fans and Chelsea have since said that the forward is “conscious” and “talking” from hospital.

Chelsea’s positive statement read: “Jesse Derry has been taken to hospital as a precaution following his first-half substitution during today’s #PL game against Nottingham Forest. Jesse is conscious, talking and undergoing precautionary checks. We wish him a speedy recovery and thank the medical staff for their swift response.”

Calum McFarlane later told Sky Sports: “We’re hearing positive signs from Jesse Derry and Rob Sanchez. Pleased for Jesse’s performance, but there are probably more important things right now.”

There was no malicious intent from either player as former Premier League goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer told BBC 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.”

Derry, son of former QPR defender Shaun Derry, was not the only player to be involved in a head collision. In the second half, Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez clashed with Morgan Gibbs-White and both players needed to be substituted.

Taiwo Awoniyi scored a brace, one on either side of an Igor Jesus penalty, to seal a vital three points at the bottom of the table after Vitor Pereira rested the majority of his starting team.

Joao Pedro grabbed a late consolation in stoppage time, though Chelsea are staring at the possibility of failing to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

The Blues remain ninth in the Premier League table and 10 points off fifth-placed Aston Villa, with three games remaining, but sixth place may be enough to qualify for the top European competition.