Čech has surgery on fractured skull

Early blow
Czech international Petr Čech fractured his skull just 20 seconds into the game after Reading midfielder Steve Hunt accidentally caught him with his knee as the keeper bravely dived in to smother the ball. After a lengthy stoppage, Čech was taken to hospital and underwent surgery last night on a depressed fracture, although it is still too early to assess the length of his absence. He was replaced by Carlo Cudicini and in added time the Italian collided with Ibrahima Sonko and was knocked unconscious. Captain John Terry finished the game in goal, with Didier Drogba filling in at centre-half.

Hilário opportunity
Cudicini was also initially taken to hospital and has been discharged but if he does not recover the 30-year-old Portuguese Hilário could be in line for his Chelsea debut. Signed from CD Nacional in the summer, Hilário has unhappy memories of the UEFA Champions League having shipped four goals in FC Porto's 4-0 defeat by Manchester United FC in 1996/97. He has also had spells at A. Naval 1° Maio, A. Académica de Coimbra, CF Estrla de Amadora and SC Varzim.