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Each move Lamine Yamal executes exudes excellence. At times when he is strolling about appearing dejected, which he showed often at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the casual elegance of a superstar. He softly controls the ball rather than striking it, creating remarkable power from limited back-lift. He operates on the balls of his feet, always vigilant, always able to go either way. He glides rather than dashes, but does so at velocity. He has already finished as silver medalist in the Ballon d’Or. But he was not the best 18-year-old right-wing forward on the pitch on Tuesday, not even close.

Rising Star Estevao Creates His Mark

In Estevao, recruited from Palmeiras for a fee that could climb to £52m, Chelsea have recruited a player who could turn out as one of the top-tier. He has been creating more and more of an influence since netting the dying moments 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 very early, but Brazil may at last have uncovered the player they desperately wanted to have identified in Neymar.

Estêvão amazing goal brightens Chelsea’s dominant win over 10-man Barcelona

Estêvão’s goal, executed after 55 minutes to absolutely seal a win that hadn’t really been in doubt from the moment the Barcelona captain was red-carded just before half-time, was a masterpiece. In part, it was about Chelsea retrieving the ball back and a teammate's pass, but mostly it was about the Brazilian darting at frightening speed, deceiving left and right, shaking off defenders and driving a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Face-to-Face Contest and Physical Advantage

The chant 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 durable player – and consistent Premier League experience is only expected 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 larger blokes to challenge for balls in the box.

And Chelsea, after some uneasy moments in the opening quarter, by the middle point of the first half had imposed themselves on Barcelona. The strategy of using a speedy attacker and his pace through the middle was convincingly vindicated.

Restart Mastery and Resilient Toughness

The first goal had felt close for at least five minutes before it arrived. It was no great surprise it came from a dead-ball situation, an area of the game in which it seems like Premier League clubs are competing with precious stones while the rest of the world is still using conkers. Barcelona can’t score a normal own goal, of course, but have to adorn it with a one-two in a tight space and a backheel nutmeg. 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 a teammate.

But the superiority 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 shocked, perhaps even demoralized by a couple of tackles.

That annoyance 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 complaints. When the defender – continued fuming? Aware of his side’s limitations? Outsmarted? – dived at the opponent a few minutes later the conclusion was certain and virtually resolved the game.

Strategic Contrasts and Ending Conclusion

Perhaps Barcelona could have defended deeply, shielded in a deep line 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 approach than the Everton boss and Hansi Flick.

A team organized to defend with a line as high as Barcelona’s really has no escape when they are reduced to 10. They dropped off a bit, but Chelsea still kept pushing into the space behind the back line, got 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 accumulated fatigue begins to weaken at English sides but the trend of Premier League dominance through quickness and power is evident.

Lamine Yamal was withdrawn with 10 minutes remaining, wandering to the bench with a sense of rueful resignation, accompanied by a scattering of unenthusiastic jeers. But there was no need to taunt him; the battle was already finished and decisively so. Estevao, the obvious victor, exited the pitch to a rapturous ovation three minutes later. His were the praises, and Chelsea’s the points.