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Every action Lamine Yamal does oozes class. Even when he is walking about looking disheartened, which he did quite a bit at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the casual style of a star. He gently touches the ball rather than kicking it, generating impressive power from restricted back-lift. He plays on the balls of his feet, always vigilant, repeatedly able to go either way. He glides rather than sprints, but does so at pace. He has already placed as silver medalist in the Ballon d’Or. But he was not the finest 18-year-old right-flank forward on the pitch on Tuesday, far from it.

Developing Star Estêvão Leaves His Impact

In Estêvão, signed 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 impact since scoring the last-minute winner against Liverpool last month. His previous four starts for Chelsea have brought four goals, and he also scored in both of Brazil’s friendlies during the international break. It’s very early, but Brazil may eventually have discovered the player they keenly wanted to have secured in Neymar.

Estevao spectacular goal illuminates Chelsea’s dominant win over 10-man Barcelona

Estevao's goal, executed after 55 minutes to absolutely seal a win that hadn’t truly been in doubt from the moment the Barcelona captain was sent off just before half-time, was a masterpiece. In part, it was about Chelsea regaining the ball back and Reece James’s pass, but mainly it was about the Brazilian sprinting at incredible speed, dummying left and right, shaking off defenders and driving a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Direct Duel and Robust Advantage

The taunt of “You’re just a shit Estevao,” directed at Lamine Yamal may have been exaggeratedly 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 frequent Premier League experience is only expected to strengthen that.

It’s been a trait of the Champions League this season just how much of a physical 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 essentially by having some more physical blokes to go for balls in the box.

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

Dead-Ball Dominance and Backline Solidity

The initial strike had felt approaching for at least five minutes before it materialized. It was no great surprise it came from a dead-ball situation, 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 regular 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 slick interchange from a corner that opened up space for a Chelsea player to cross for Enzo Fernández.

But the advantage doesn’t just manifest 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 tackles.

That irritation would have serious consequences as it led to Lamine Yamal falling over the defender's leg in an attempt to win a free-kick, which in turn led to Araújo being booked for his arguments. When Araújo – remained angry? Aware of his side’s weaknesses? Outsmarted? – lunged at the opponent a few minutes later the outcome was unavoidable and effectively settled the game.

Tactical Variations and Final Result

Perhaps Barcelona could have hunkered down, protected in a deep line and aimed 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 the Everton boss and the Barcelona coach.

A team organized to defend with a line as high as Barcelona’s really has nowhere to go when they are diminished to 10. They retreated a bit, but Chelsea still kept driving into the space behind the back line, secured a third from a substitute and, if they’d really needed to, could likely have notched 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 control through speed and force is evident.

Lamine Yamal was withdrawn with 10 minutes left, walking to the bench with a sense of rueful submission, followed by a scattering of half-hearted jeers. But there was no need to goad him; the fight was already finished and definitively so. Estevao, the clear victor, departed the pitch to a rapturous ovation three minutes later. His were the praises, and Chelsea’s the win.