EMI MARTINEZ caught some flack after Joao Pedro was gifted Chelsea’s opener against Aston Villa.
The Blues hosted Unai Emery‘s high-flying side in Saturday’s teatime kick-off.
In the 36th minute, Chelsea skipper Reece James floated an in-swinging corner into the six-yard box.
Forward Joao Pedro was allowed to subtly touch the ball from barely a yard out, with Emery certain to be seething at the cheap nature of the goal.
Rather than acting decisively, 6ft 5in Martinez was rooted to his line.
The Argentine, 33, had flung compatriot Enzo Fernandez into the back of the goal as the cross came in.
He then briefly tried to wrestle with Pedro, before being meekly beaten.
Martinez slumped on the turf as the ball nestled in the net, but there had been no hint of a foul.
The stopper’s role in Chelsea’s opener did not go unnoticed.
One fan wrote on social media: “Emi Martinez doing that silly thing where he grabs an opponent on a set piece then throws himself to the ground to con the officials into giving him a freekick.
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“Good to see him concede a goal & the ref not falling for his antics.”
While a second asked: “Why is Emi Martinez never bothered about trying to get the ball when a corner comes in? Always too busy fighting with opposition players. Seems like every time a team puts a corner right on top of him it ends up in the net.”
A third fumed: “Emi Martinez needs to stop focussing on players at corners ffs.”
And another added: “Emi Martinez wasting his time pushing players rather than focusing on the ball. Simple tactic for every team if he’s that easy to distract.”
