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Each move Lamine Yamal performs oozes class. Even when he is moving about seeming disheartened, which he showed often at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the casual elegance of a star. He softly controls the ball rather than striking it, creating extraordinary power from minimal back-lift. He operates on the balls of his feet, always alert, always able to go either way. He moves smoothly rather than sprints, but does so at pace. He has already placed as second place 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.

Emerging Star Estevao Creates His Impact

In Estêvão, brought in from Palmeiras for a fee that could rise to £52m, Chelsea have recruited a player who could end up as one of the very best. He has been building more and more of an impression since getting the late winner against Liverpool last month. His last four starts for Chelsea have yielded four goals, and he also found the net in both of Brazil’s friendlies during the international break. It’s very early, but Brazil may finally have discovered the player they keenly wanted to have found in Neymar.

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

Estêvão’s goal, scored after 55 minutes to definitively seal a win that hadn’t truly 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 regaining the ball back and a teammate's pass, but primarily it was about the Brazilian darting at incredible speed, feinting left and right, evading markers and hammering a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Head-to-Head Battle and Powerful Edge

The slogan of “You’re just a poor Estevao,” directed at Lamine Yamal may have been exaggeratedly harsh on the Spaniard, and may not have fit, 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 set to amplify that.

It’s been a characteristic of the Champions League this season just how much of a physical edge Premier League teams have over their European rivals. Liverpool have faced difficulties physically in the Premier League this season but overwhelmed Real Madrid. Newcastle beat Athletic Bilbao fundamentally 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 halfway point of the first half had imposed themselves on Barcelona. The ploy of using Pedro Neto and his pace through the middle was convincingly validated.

Dead-Ball Expertise and Backline Solidity

The initial strike had felt imminent 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 appears like Premier League clubs are competing with diamonds while the rest of the world is still using conkers. Barcelona can’t score a regular own goal, of course, but have to adorn it with a one-two in a tight space and a skillful move. However elaborate the finish, though, the cause was a smooth interchange from a corner that opened up space for a Chelsea player to cross for a teammate.

But the superiority doesn’t just manifest from an offensive point of view. Lamine Yamal got the better of his marker only infrequently and seemed at times stunned, perhaps even disheartened by a couple of interceptions.

That annoyance 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 cautioned for his arguments. When Araújo – continued fuming? Aware of his side’s shortcomings? Outmaneuvered? – charged at the opponent a few minutes later the result was certain and practically resolved the game.

Strategic Contrasts and Ending Outcome

Perhaps Barcelona could have dug in, 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 the Everton boss and the Barcelona coach.

A team organized to defend with a line as high as Barcelona’s really has no escape when they are cut down to 10. They fell back a bit, but Chelsea still kept driving into the space behind the back line, secured a third from Liam Delap and, if they’d truly needed to, could possibly have notched a couple more.

It’s only the opening round and things can evolve in the spring as built-up fatigue begins to weaken at English sides but the tendency of Premier League supremacy through pace and force is obvious.

Lamine Yamal was withdrawn with 10 minutes left, walking to the bench with a sense of rueful submission, pursued by a scattering of weak jeers. But there was no need to taunt him; the battle was already over and conclusively so. Estevao, the undeniable victor, exited the pitch to a enthusiastic ovation three minutes later. His were the praises, and Chelsea’s the victory.