CESAR AZPILICUETA suffered a horror blow to the face when Sekou Mara attempted an overhead kick in a major injury concern.
The Chelsea defender was struck by the stray boot in his own penalty area during today’s Premier League match with Southampton at Stamford Bridge.
ReutersCesar Azpilicueta was booted in the face accidentally by Sekou Mara[/caption]
ReutersMedical experts treated the Chelsea captain on the pitch[/caption]
He immediately fell to the ground and was stricken as team-mates and opposition players desperately called medical staff on to rush on and assist.
Replayswere not shown on the Premier League live feed as the treatment continued.
Club doctors from both teams initially tended to the club captain but St John’s Ambulance paramedics took over in disturbing scenes in West London.
Players on both sides looked visibly shocked after the freak accidental incident.
The match was stopped for ten minutes before he was placed on the stretcher with a neck brace and oxygen mask.
He was given a rapturous applause and had his name chanted on his way towards the ambulance emergency exit of the stadium.
And the Spanish veteran was definitely conscious as he gave a wave to the fans.
The fourth official added 12 minutes of injury time at the end of the game following the 74th-minute horror moment, for which Mara received a yellow card.
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