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Each move Lamine Yamal does radiates excellence. Even when he is strolling about looking disheartened, which he demonstrated often at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the effortless elegance of a top player. He gently touches the ball rather than kicking it, generating impressive power from minimal back-lift. He plays on the balls of his feet, always aware, consistently able to go both ways. He slides rather than sprints, but does so at velocity. He has already placed as runner-up in the Ballon d’Or. But he was not the best 18-year-old right-wing forward on the pitch on Tuesday, nowhere near.

Developing Talent Estêvão Creates His Imprint

In Estevao, recruited from Palmeiras for a fee that could rise to £52m, Chelsea have recruited a player who could turn out as one of the top-tier. He has been building more and more of an impact since netting the last-minute winner against Liverpool last month. His previous four starts for Chelsea have produced four goals, and he also scored in both of Brazil’s friendlies during the international break. It’s very early, but Brazil may at last have uncovered the player they desperately wanted to have secured in Neymar.

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

Estêvão’s goal, scored after 55 minutes to absolutely 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 classic. 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, deceiving left and right, brushing off defenders and hammering a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Direct Contest and Robust Edge

The taunt of “You’re just a poor Estêvão,” directed at Lamine Yamal may have been extremely harsh on the Spaniard, and may not have scanned, but there was no doubting 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 resilient player – and consistent 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 bodily 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 fundamentally by having some more physical blokes to attack balls in the box.

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

Restart Dominance and Defensive Solidity

The initial strike had felt imminent 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 feels like Premier League clubs are playing with diamonds while the rest of the world is still using basic tools. Barcelona can’t score a standard own goal, of course, but have to adorn it with a one-two in a narrow space and a skillful move. However embellished the finish, though, the origin was a smooth interchange from a corner that generated space for a Chelsea player to cross for Enzo Fernández.

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

That frustration would have serious consequences as it led to Lamine Yamal plunging over Cucurella’s leg in an attempt to win a free-kick, which in turn led to Araújo being yellow-carded for his arguments. When the defender – was he still seething? Conscious of his side’s shortcomings? Outmaneuvered? – lunged at the opponent a few minutes later the conclusion was certain and virtually decided the game.

Strategic Variations and Final Result

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

A team arranged to defend with a line as high as Barcelona’s really has no escape when they are diminished to 10. They dropped off a bit, but Chelsea still kept advancing 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 opening round and things can shift in the spring as collected fatigue begins to sap at English sides but the trend of Premier League control through speed and strength is obvious.

Lamine Yamal was substituted with 10 minutes remaining, strolling to the bench with a sense of rueful acceptance, followed by a few of weak jeers. But there was no need to taunt him; the fight was already lost and conclusively so. Estêvão, the clear victor, departed the pitch to a ecstatic ovation three minutes later. His were the accolades, and Chelsea’s the victory.