Calum McFarlane ‘gutted’ for Jesse Derry after Chelsea youngster hospitalised on Premier League debut | OneFootball

Chelsea’s interim head coach Calum McFarlane says the signs are “positive” for Blues youngster Jesse Derry after he was taken off the field at Stamford Bridge on a stretcher and hospitalised following a sickening collision with Nottingham Forest’s Zach Abbott.

The 18-year-old was making his first senior start for the club in Monday’s game 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 top-flight debut 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, with Derry taken to hospital after receiving medical attention on the pitch.

Fortunately the teenager, who has impressed for Chelsea’s youth teams this season, appears to be on the road to recovery. He posted an update to his personal social media on Tuesday, writing: “A dream come true to start at Stamford Bridge for my Premier League debut. I’d like to thank all the Chelsea medical staff, everyone at St. Mary’s Hospital, my teammates, and all the fans for their great support. I can’t wait to be back playing in front of everyone very soon.”

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Derry had been one of Chelsea's biggest attacking threats prior to his injury (PA)

The club released a statement on Monday saying: “Jesse is conscious, talking and undergoing precautionary checks. We wish him a speedy recovery and thank the medical staff for their swift response.”

McFarlane told BBC Match of the Day later: “All signs positive at the moment so we're hopeful he's in a good condition and from what we've heard it's positive.

“Gutted for Jesse, I thought he did well in the game. He gave us a threat - a massive moment for him that has ended sadly.”

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The 18-year-old was attended to by medical staff and taken off on a stretcher (Getty)

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 eight-and-a-half minutes surrounded by medical staff, where he was given oxygen. Stamford Bridge gave him a standing ovation as he was taken off on the stretcher and taken to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for precautionary checks.

He was replaced by Liam Delap and play resumed with the penalty Derry had won, with Matz Sels making a fingertip save from Cole Palmer from the spot, leaving the hosts still 2-0 down going into half-time.

There was further concern early in the second half as Forest substitute Morgan Gibbs-White, who came on after half-time, clashed heads with Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez competing for a 50-50 ball in the Blues’ box.

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A heavily bandaged Gibbs-White was immediately substituted (PA)

Gibbs-White came off worse in the incident but fortunately for both sides the pair were able to walk off the pitch unaided after both had their heads heavily bandaged.

Sanchez was replaced between the sticks by Filip Jorgensen, with Chris Wood coming on for Gibbs-White, whose substitution makes him a doubt for the second leg of Forest’s Europa League semi-final against Aston Villa on Thursday night.

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. The Nigerian added a third in the 52nd minute after Gibbs-White fired in a low cross, with Joao Pedro scoring a consolation goal with an acrobatic overhead kick in stoppage time.