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Every action Lamine Yamal executes radiates class. Even when he is walking about seeming disheartened, which he did quite a bit at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the effortless style of a top player. He gently touches the ball rather than kicking it, creating extraordinary power from restricted back-lift. He operates on the balls of his feet, always alert, repeatedly able to go either way. He glides rather than sprints, but does so at speed. He has already ended up as silver medalist in the Ballon d’Or. But he was not the top 18-year-old right-sided forward on the pitch on Tuesday, not even close.

Developing Star Estêvão Leaves His Mark

In Estêvão, recruited from Palmeiras for a fee that could rise to £52m, Chelsea have acquired a player who could turn out as one of the elite. He has been creating more and more of an impact since getting the last-minute winner against Liverpool last month. His most recent four starts for Chelsea have yielded four goals, and he also struck in both of Brazil’s friendlies during the international break. It’s very early, but Brazil may at last have discovered the player they desperately wanted to have identified in Neymar.

Estevao spectacular goal brightens Chelsea’s statement win over 10-man Barcelona

Estêvão’s goal, converted after 55 minutes to definitively seal a win that hadn’t fully been in doubt from the moment the Barcelona captain was dismissed just before half-time, was a exemplary. In part, it was about Chelsea winning the ball back and Reece James’s pass, but primarily it was about the Brazilian sprinting at frightening speed, dummying left and right, shaking off markers and lashing a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Direct Duel and Physical Edge

The chant of “You’re just a poor Estevao,” directed at Lamine Yamal may have been exaggeratedly harsh on the Spaniard, and may not have rhymed, but there was no questioning which of the two had come out on top.

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 expected to strengthen that.

It’s been a trait of the Champions League this season just how much of a bodily edge Premier League teams have over their European rivals. Liverpool have struggled physically in the Premier League this season but dominated Real Madrid. Newcastle beat Athletic Bilbao basically by having some larger blokes to attack balls in the box.

And Chelsea, after some uneasy moments in the opening quarter, by the middle point of the first half had imposed themselves on Barcelona. The ploy of using Pedro Neto and his pace through the middle was emphatically justified.

Restart Dominance and Defensive Toughness

The initial strike had felt approaching for at least five minutes before it materialized. It was no great surprise it came from a set play, an area of the game in which it feels like Premier League clubs are playing with diamonds while the rest of the world is still using conkers. Barcelona can’t score a standard own goal, of course, but have to embellish it with a quick exchange in a confined space and a backheel nutmeg. However elaborate the finish, though, the cause was a slick interchange from a corner that created space for a Chelsea player to cross for a teammate.

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

That annoyance would have significant consequences as it led to Lamine Yamal plunging over Cucurella’s leg in an attempt to win a free-kick, which in turn led to Araújo being booked for his complaints. When the defender – remained angry? Mindful of his side’s weaknesses? Outsmarted? – dived at Cucurella a few minutes later the result was certain and effectively resolved the game.

Strategic Differences and Closing Result

Perhaps Barcelona could have defended deeply, defended in a deep line and hoped to pinch something on the break, as Everton had done at Manchester United on Monday, but it’s hard to envision two managers more different in mindset than David Moyes and Hansi Flick.

A team arranged to defend with a line as high as Barcelona’s really has nowhere to go when they are diminished to 10. They fell back a bit, but Chelsea still kept pushing into the space behind the back line, scored a third from a substitute and, if they’d really needed to, could likely have scored a couple more.

It’s only the initial phase and things can evolve in the spring as collected fatigue begins to weaken at English sides but the trend of Premier League dominance through quickness and force is obvious.

Lamine Yamal was replaced with 10 minutes remaining, walking to the bench with a sense of regretful resignation, accompanied by a few of weak jeers. But there was no need to taunt him; the fight was already over and definitively so. Estevao, the undeniable victor, left the pitch to a rapturous ovation three minutes later. His were the honours, and Chelsea’s the victory.