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Everything Lamine Yamal executes exudes quality. At times when he is walking about seeming dejected, which he demonstrated often at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the effortless style of a superstar. He caresses the ball rather than striking it, generating remarkable power from minimal back-lift. He plays on the balls of his feet, constantly aware, always able to go either way. He slides rather than sprints, but does so at pace. He has already placed as runner-up in the Ballon d’Or. But he was not the finest 18-year-old right-wing forward on the pitch on Tuesday, far from it.

Developing Talent Estevao Leaves His Impact

In Estevao, recruited from Palmeiras for a fee that could increase to £52m, Chelsea have recruited a player who could end up as one of the elite. He has been creating more and more of an impact since scoring the last-minute winner against Liverpool last month. His previous four starts for Chelsea have yielded four goals, and he also struck in both of Brazil’s friendlies during the international break. It’s premature, but Brazil may eventually have found the player they keenly wanted to have found in Neymar.

Estêvão spectacular goal illuminates Chelsea’s statement win over 10-man Barcelona

Estevao's goal, scored after 55 minutes to definitively seal a win that hadn’t really 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 winning the ball back and Reece James’s pass, but mostly it was about the Brazilian scurrying at frightening speed, feinting left and right, evading opponents and driving a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Face-to-Face Battle and Robust Edge

The chant 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 disputing which of the two had triumphed.

Estêvão 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 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 fundamentally by having some larger blokes to attack balls in the box.

And Chelsea, after some uneasy moments in the opening quarter, by the midway point of the first half had asserted their authority on Barcelona. The ploy of using Pedro Neto and his pace through the middle was decisively vindicated.

Dead-Ball Dominance and Defensive Solidity

The opener had felt close for at least five minutes before it arrived. It was no great surprise it came from a set-piece, an area of the game in which it seems like Premier League clubs are operating with precious stones while the rest of the world is still using conkers. Barcelona can’t score a standard own goal, of course, but have to enhance it with a short pass in a confined space and a backheel nutmeg. However embellished the finish, though, the reason was a slick interchange from a corner that opened up space for Marc Cucurella to cross for a teammate.

But the advantage doesn’t just appear from an offensive point of view. Lamine Yamal got the better of Marc Cucurella only infrequently and seemed at times stunned, perhaps even demoralized by a couple of blocks.

That annoyance would have serious consequences as it led to Lamine Yamal diving 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 shortcomings? Outsmarted? – lunged at the opponent a few minutes later the conclusion was certain and effectively decided the game.

Game Plan Variations and Final Conclusion

Perhaps Barcelona could have defended deeply, defended in a low block and hoped to snatch something on the break, as Everton had done at Manchester United on Monday, but it’s hard to envision two managers more different in attitude than David Moyes and the Barcelona coach.

A team set up to defend with a line as high as Barcelona’s really has no escape when they are diminished 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 really needed to, could likely have added a couple more.

It’s only the group stage and things can shift in the spring as collected fatigue begins to weaken at English sides but the pattern of Premier League supremacy through quickness and force is obvious.

Lamine Yamal was replaced with 10 minutes left, strolling to the bench with a sense of sorrowful resignation, accompanied by a handful of half-hearted jeers. But there was no need to goad him; the contest was already lost and conclusively so. Estêvão, the undeniable victor, left the pitch to a enthusiastic ovation three minutes later. His were the honours, and Chelsea’s the points.