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Everything Lamine Yamal executes exudes quality. Even when he is moving about seeming disheartened, which he did often at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the casual style of a superstar. He softly controls the ball rather than striking it, creating remarkable power from limited back-lift. He plays on the balls of his feet, constantly aware, consistently able to go either way. He slides rather than dashes, but does so at velocity. He has already finished as silver medalist in the Ballon d’Or. But he was not the best 18-year-old right-sided forward on the pitch on Tuesday, nowhere near.

Rising Prospect Estevao Makes His Impact

In Estêvão, brought in from Palmeiras for a fee that could rise to £52m, Chelsea have acquired a player who could end up as one of the elite. He has been making more and more of an impression since scoring the dying moments winner against Liverpool last month. His previous four starts for Chelsea have yielded four goals, and he also struck in both of Brazil’s friendlies during the international break. It’s premature, but Brazil may eventually have discovered the player they keenly wanted to have found in Neymar.

Estevao amazing goal illuminates Chelsea’s statement win over 10-man Barcelona

Estêvão’s goal, executed after 55 minutes to absolutely seal a win that hadn’t truly been in doubt from the moment the Barcelona captain was dismissed just before half-time, was a masterpiece. In part, it was about Chelsea retrieving the ball back and Reece James’s pass, but mostly it was about the Brazilian scurrying at terrifying speed, dummying left and right, shaking off markers and driving a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Head-to-Head Battle and Robust Superiority

The taunt of “You’re just a shit Estêvão,” directed at Lamine Yamal may have been exaggeratedly harsh on the Spaniard, and may not have rhymed, but there was no disputing which of the two had prevailed.

Estevao is 80 days older and has played 22 games fewer but at the moment he looks a more robust player – and frequent Premier League experience is only likely to strengthen that.

It’s been a characteristic of the Champions League this season just how much of a bodily edge Premier League teams have over their European rivals. Liverpool have faced difficulties physically in the Premier League this season but overwhelmed Real Madrid. Newcastle beat Athletic Bilbao essentially by having some larger blokes to go for balls in the box.

And Chelsea, after some uneasy moments in the opening quarter, by the middle point of the first half had taken control on Barcelona. The strategy of using Pedro Neto and his pace through the middle was decisively vindicated.

Set-Piece Expertise and Resilient Strength

The opener had felt close for at least five minutes before it came. It was no great surprise it came from a dead-ball situation, an area of the game in which it feels like Premier League clubs are operating with diamonds while the rest of the world is still using ordinary items. Barcelona can’t score a regular own goal, of course, but have to embellish it with a short pass in a tight space and a skillful move. However embellished the finish, though, the origin was a slick interchange from a corner that opened up space for Marc Cucurella to cross for Enzo Fernández.

But the advantage doesn’t just appear from an attacking point of view. Lamine Yamal got the better of his marker only rarely and seemed at times surprised, perhaps even disheartened by a couple of blocks.

That annoyance would have major consequences as it led to Lamine Yamal falling over the defender's leg in an attempt to win a free-kick, which in turn led to the Barcelona captain being yellow-carded for his protests. When the defender – was he still seething? Mindful of his side’s weaknesses? Outmaneuvered? – charged at Cucurella a few minutes later the outcome was certain and effectively resolved the game.

Game Plan Contrasts and Final Result

Perhaps Barcelona could have defended deeply, protected in a low block and aimed to snatch something on the break, as Everton had done at Manchester United on Monday, but it’s hard to picture two managers more contrasting in attitude than the Everton boss and the Barcelona coach.

A team arranged to defend with a line as high as Barcelona’s really has no escape when they are reduced to 10. They dropped off a bit, but Chelsea still kept pushing into the space behind the back line, secured a third from Liam Delap and, if they’d truly needed to, could likely have scored a couple more.

It’s only the group stage and things can shift in the spring as collected fatigue begins to weaken at English sides but the pattern of Premier League control through quickness and strength is evident.

Lamine Yamal was withdrawn with 10 minutes remaining, strolling to the bench with a sense of regretful submission, pursued by a scattering of unenthusiastic jeers. But there was no need to goad him; the contest was already over and conclusively so. Estevao, the undeniable victor, exited the pitch to a ecstatic ovation three minutes later. His were the honours, and Chelsea’s the points.