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Each move Lamine Yamal performs oozes quality. Even when he is walking about appearing dejected, which he did often at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the casual grace of a superstar. He gently touches the ball rather than hitting it, producing remarkable power from minimal back-lift. He functions on the balls of his feet, constantly aware, consistently able to go either way. He slides rather than dashes, but does so at velocity. He has already ended up 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 Star Estêvão Makes His Impact

In Estevao, signed from Palmeiras for a fee that could increase to £52m, Chelsea have recruited a player who could evolve as one of the top-tier. He has been creating more and more of an impression since scoring the dying moments 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 at last have uncovered the player they keenly wanted to have secured in Neymar.

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

Estêvão’s goal, executed after 55 minutes to definitively seal a win that hadn’t fully 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 retrieving the ball back and Reece James’s pass, but mostly it was about the Brazilian scurrying at terrifying speed, feinting left and right, brushing off markers and driving a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Direct Duel and Powerful Advantage

The taunt of “You’re just a poor Estêvão,” directed at Lamine Yamal may have been overly harsh on the Spaniard, and may not have rhymed, 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 likely to amplify 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 overwhelmed Real Madrid. Newcastle beat Athletic Bilbao essentially by having some larger blokes to go for balls in the box.

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

Restart Expertise and Backline Toughness

The opener had felt approaching for at least five minutes before it arrived. 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 playing with precious stones while the rest of the world is still using basic tools. Barcelona can’t score a standard own goal, of course, but have to embellish it with a short pass in a confined space and a backheel nutmeg. However embellished the finish, though, the origin was a slick interchange from a corner that created space for Marc Cucurella to cross for Enzo Fernández.

But the advantage doesn’t just appear 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 the defender's leg in an attempt to win a free-kick, which in turn led to the Barcelona captain being yellow-carded for his arguments. When the defender – remained angry? Aware of his side’s limitations? Beaten? – dived at the opponent a few minutes later the result was unavoidable and practically settled the game.

Strategic Variations and Ending Conclusion

Perhaps Barcelona could have defended deeply, defended in a defensive formation and tried to grab something on the break, as Everton had done at Manchester United on Monday, but it’s hard to picture two managers more contrasting in approach than David Moyes and the Barcelona coach.

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

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

Lamine Yamal was substituted with 10 minutes to go, walking to the bench with a sense of rueful acceptance, followed by a handful of weak jeers. But there was no need to provoke him; the contest was already lost and definitively so. Estêvão, the obvious victor, left the pitch to a enthusiastic ovation three minutes later. His were the praises, and Chelsea’s the points.