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Each move Lamine Yamal performs radiates class. At times when he is walking about looking dejected, which he did frequently at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the nonchalant style of a superstar. He softly controls the ball rather than kicking it, producing impressive power from restricted back-lift. He operates on the balls of his feet, constantly vigilant, consistently able to go either way. He glides rather than sprints, but does so at pace. 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, far from it.

Emerging Prospect Estevao Makes His Mark

In Estêvão, recruited 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 making more and more of an influence since getting the late winner against Liverpool last month. His last four starts for Chelsea have produced four goals, and he also struck in both of Brazil’s friendlies during the international break. It’s premature, but Brazil may finally have discovered the player they urgently wanted to have secured in Neymar.

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

Estêvão’s goal, executed 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 regaining the ball back and Reece James’s pass, but mainly it was about the Brazilian sprinting at frightening speed, feinting left and right, shaking off opponents and lashing a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Head-to-Head Duel and Powerful Superiority

The chant of “You’re just a shit Estêvão,” directed at Lamine Yamal may have been extremely harsh on the Spaniard, and may not have scanned, 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 durable player – and regular Premier League experience is only set to enhance that.

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

And Chelsea, after some nervous moments in the opening quarter, by the halfway point of the first half had asserted their authority on Barcelona. The tactic of using Pedro Neto and his pace through the middle was emphatically validated.

Set-Piece Dominance and Resilient Toughness

The initial strike had felt close for at least five minutes before it arrived. It was no big surprise it came from a set-piece, an area of the game in which it appears like Premier League clubs are playing with diamonds while the rest of the world is still using ordinary items. Barcelona can’t score a normal own goal, of course, but have to embellish it with a one-two in a narrow space and a fancy flick. However elaborate the finish, though, the reason was a smooth interchange from a corner that opened up space for a Chelsea player to cross for a teammate.

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

That irritation would have major 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 Araújo being yellow-carded for his complaints. When the defender – continued fuming? Mindful of his side’s shortcomings? Outmaneuvered? – lunged at the opponent a few minutes later the outcome was unavoidable and practically resolved the game.

Game Plan Differences and Ending Outcome

Perhaps Barcelona could have dug in, protected in a deep line and hoped to grab something on the break, as Everton had done at Manchester United on Monday, but it’s hard to envision two managers more contrasting in approach than the Everton boss and the Barcelona coach.

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

It’s only the opening round and things can change in the spring as built-up fatigue begins to drain at English sides but the trend of Premier League supremacy through quickness and strength is evident.

Lamine Yamal was replaced with 10 minutes to go, wandering to the bench with a sense of rueful submission, followed by a scattering of unenthusiastic jeers. But there was no need to provoke him; the fight was already finished and decisively so. Estêvão, the clear victor, exited the pitch to a enthusiastic ovation three minutes later. His were the praises, and Chelsea’s the victory.