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Each move Lamine Yamal does radiates class. Even when he is walking about appearing disheartened, which he showed frequently at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the effortless elegance of a top player. He caresses the ball rather than kicking it, creating extraordinary power from restricted back-lift. He functions on the balls of his feet, continually alert, consistently able to go in any direction. He moves smoothly rather than sprints, but does so at pace. He has already finished as silver medalist in the Ballon d’Or. But he was not the top 18-year-old right-flank forward on the pitch on Tuesday, not even close.

Developing Prospect Estevao Creates His Impact

In Estêvão, brought in from Palmeiras for a fee that could rise to £52m, Chelsea have recruited a player who could end up as one of the top-tier. He has been creating more and more of an impression since scoring the late winner against Liverpool last month. His last four starts for Chelsea have produced four goals, and he also found the net in both of Brazil’s friendlies during the international break. It’s premature, but Brazil may eventually have found the player they urgently wanted to have found in Neymar.

Estêvão wonder goal brightens Chelsea’s statement win over 10-man Barcelona

Estevao's goal, scored after 55 minutes to absolutely seal a win that hadn’t truly been in doubt from the moment the Barcelona captain was red-carded just before half-time, was a exemplary. In part, it was about Chelsea winning the ball back and a teammate's pass, but mainly it was about the Brazilian sprinting at terrifying speed, deceiving left and right, brushing off markers and hammering a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Head-to-Head Battle and Robust Edge

The chant of “You’re just a poor Estevao,” directed at Lamine Yamal may have been extremely harsh on the Spaniard, and may not have scanned, but there was no doubting 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 durable player – and regular Premier League experience is only set to strengthen that.

It’s been a trait of the Champions League this season just how much of a athletic 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 basically by having some bigger blokes to attack balls in the box.

And Chelsea, after some shaky moments in the opening quarter, by the halfway point of the first half had taken control on Barcelona. The tactic of using a speedy attacker and his pace through the middle was decisively validated.

Set-Piece Expertise and Resilient Toughness

The first goal had felt approaching for at least five minutes before it came. It was no major surprise it came from a set play, an area of the game in which it appears like Premier League clubs are operating with diamonds while the rest of the world is still using basic tools. Barcelona can’t score a standard own goal, of course, but have to enhance it with a one-two in a tight space and a skillful move. However ornate the finish, though, the origin was a slick interchange from a corner that created space for a Chelsea player to cross for Enzo Fernández.

But the superiority doesn’t just manifest from an goal-scoring point of view. Lamine Yamal got the better of his marker only rarely and seemed at times surprised, perhaps even discouraged by a couple of blocks.

That irritation would have major 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 the Barcelona captain being cautioned for his protests. When Araújo – continued fuming? Aware of his side’s limitations? Outsmarted? – dived at the opponent a few minutes later the conclusion was unavoidable and virtually resolved the game.

Tactical Variations and Closing Conclusion

Perhaps Barcelona could have hunkered down, shielded in a defensive formation and hoped to pinch something on the break, as Everton had done at Manchester United on Monday, but it’s hard to imagine two managers more diverse in mindset than David Moyes and the Barcelona coach.

A team set up to defend with a line as high as Barcelona’s really has few options when they are diminished to 10. They retreated a bit, but Chelsea still kept advancing into the space behind the back line, secured a third from a substitute and, if they’d truly needed to, could possibly have added a couple more.

It’s only the group stage and things can evolve in the spring as accumulated fatigue begins to weaken at English sides but the trend of Premier League dominance through quickness and strength is clear.

Lamine Yamal was replaced with 10 minutes left, walking to the bench with a sense of rueful resignation, pursued by a scattering of weak jeers. But there was no need to provoke him; the battle was already finished and definitively so. Estevao, the obvious victor, departed the pitch to a rapturous ovation three minutes later. His were the praises, and Chelsea’s the points.