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Everything Lamine Yamal does exudes quality. On occasions where he is moving about appearing dejected, which he demonstrated often at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the casual elegance of a star. He caresses the ball rather than hitting it, producing impressive power from restricted back-lift. He functions on the balls of his feet, constantly alert, repeatedly able to go either way. He moves smoothly rather than runs, but does so at velocity. He has already finished as silver medalist in the Ballon d’Or. But he was not the top 18-year-old right-wing forward on the pitch on Tuesday, nowhere near.

Rising Star Estêvão Makes His Impact

In Estevao, 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 netting the last-minute winner against Liverpool last month. His last four starts for Chelsea have brought four goals, and he also found the net in both of Brazil’s friendlies during the international break. It’s just the beginning, but Brazil may eventually have uncovered the player they keenly wanted to have secured in Neymar.

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

Estêvão’s goal, converted after 55 minutes to completely 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 a teammate's pass, but mainly it was about the Brazilian scurrying at terrifying speed, dummying left and right, brushing off opponents and lashing a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Face-to-Face Battle and Robust Advantage

The slogan of “You’re just a inferior Estevao,” directed at Lamine Yamal may have been extremely harsh on the Spaniard, and may not have rhymed, but there was no questioning 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 enhance 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 struggled physically in the Premier League this season but outpowered Real Madrid. Newcastle beat Athletic Bilbao basically by having some more physical blokes to go for 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 emphatically vindicated.

Set-Piece Dominance and Defensive Solidity

The first goal 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 seems like Premier League clubs are operating with gems while the rest of the world is still using basic tools. Barcelona can’t score a normal own goal, of course, but have to adorn it with a quick exchange in a tight space and a fancy flick. However ornate the finish, though, the origin was a slick interchange from a corner that opened up space for a Chelsea player to cross for Enzo Fernández.

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

That annoyance would have major consequences as it led to Lamine Yamal falling over Cucurella’s leg in an attempt to win a free-kick, which in turn led to Araújo being yellow-carded for his protests. When Araújo – continued fuming? Aware of his side’s limitations? Outsmarted? – lunged at the opponent a few minutes later the outcome was unavoidable and virtually decided the game.

Game Plan Variations and Final Conclusion

Perhaps Barcelona could have dug in, 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 picture two managers more contrasting in attitude than David Moyes and Hansi Flick.

A team organized to defend with a line as high as Barcelona’s really has few options when they are cut down to 10. They fell back 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 probably have added a couple more.

It’s only the group stage and things can evolve in the spring as collected fatigue begins to drain at English sides but the pattern of Premier League supremacy through pace and force is clear.

Lamine Yamal was replaced with 10 minutes left, wandering to the bench with a sense of sorrowful resignation, followed by a handful of half-hearted jeers. But there was no need to goad him; the battle was already over and decisively so. Estevao, the clear victor, exited the pitch to a rapturous ovation three minutes later. His were the honours, and Chelsea’s the points.