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Everything Lamine Yamal executes exudes class. On occasions where he is walking about looking dejected, which he demonstrated frequently at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the effortless style of a top player. He gently touches the ball rather than kicking it, creating remarkable power from minimal back-lift. He functions on the balls of his feet, continually vigilant, always able to go either way. He moves smoothly rather than dashes, but does so at speed. He has already ended up as second place in the Ballon d’Or. But he was not the best 18-year-old right-wing forward on the pitch on Tuesday, not even close.

Emerging Star Estevao Creates His Imprint

In Estevao, signed from Palmeiras for a fee that could climb to £52m, Chelsea have secured a player who could evolve as one of the very best. He has been building more and more of an impression since netting the late winner against Liverpool last month. His last four starts for Chelsea have brought four goals, and he also struck 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.

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

Estevao's goal, converted after 55 minutes to absolutely seal a win that hadn’t really been in doubt from the moment the Barcelona captain was dismissed just before half-time, was a exemplary. In part, it was about Chelsea retrieving the ball back and a teammate's pass, but mainly it was about the Brazilian sprinting at incredible speed, feinting left and right, brushing off defenders and driving a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Head-to-Head Duel and Robust Edge

The slogan of “You’re just a poor Estevao,” directed at Lamine Yamal may have been exaggeratedly harsh on the Spaniard, and may not have fit, but there was no disputing which of the two had triumphed.

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

It’s been a feature of the Champions League this season just how much of a physical edge Premier League teams have over their European rivals. Liverpool have faced difficulties physically in the Premier League this season but dominated Real Madrid. Newcastle beat Athletic Bilbao basically by having some bigger blokes to challenge for balls in the box.

And Chelsea, after some shaky moments in the opening quarter, by the midway point of the first half had asserted their authority on Barcelona. The strategy of using a speedy attacker and his pace through the middle was emphatically vindicated.

Dead-Ball Expertise and Backline Toughness

The first goal had felt approaching for at least five minutes before it came. It was no big surprise it came from a set play, an area of the game in which it appears like Premier League clubs are competing with diamonds while the rest of the world is still using basic tools. Barcelona can’t score a normal own goal, of course, but have to enhance it with a short pass in a tight space and a backheel nutmeg. However ornate the finish, though, the cause was a smooth interchange from a corner that created space for a Chelsea player to cross for Enzo Fernández.

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

That annoyance would have serious consequences as it led to Lamine Yamal diving over Cucurella’s leg in an attempt to win a free-kick, which in turn led to the Barcelona captain being booked for his complaints. When Araújo – remained angry? Aware of his side’s limitations? Beaten? – charged at the opponent a few minutes later the outcome was inevitable and effectively settled the game.

Tactical Variations and Final Conclusion

Perhaps Barcelona could have dug in, protected in a low block and tried to pinch something on the break, as Everton had done at Manchester United on Monday, but it’s hard to imagine two managers more different in mindset than David Moyes and the Barcelona coach.

A team arranged to defend with a line as high as Barcelona’s really has no escape when they are cut down to 10. They retreated a bit, but Chelsea still kept driving into the space behind the back line, got 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 built-up fatigue begins to drain at English sides but the pattern of Premier League dominance through speed and force is obvious.

Lamine Yamal was replaced with 10 minutes left, strolling to the bench with a sense of sorrowful resignation, pursued by a scattering of unenthusiastic jeers. But there was no need to provoke him; the fight was already over and definitively so. Estevao, the obvious victor, departed the pitch to a ecstatic ovation three minutes later. His were the praises, and Chelsea’s the victory.