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Every action Lamine Yamal performs exudes class. On occasions where he is strolling about looking downcast, which he showed frequently at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the nonchalant elegance of a superstar. He gently touches the ball rather than striking it, creating extraordinary power from minimal back-lift. He functions on the balls of his feet, continually alert, repeatedly able to go both ways. He moves smoothly rather than dashes, but does so at pace. He has already ended up as runner-up in the Ballon d’Or. But he was not the finest 18-year-old right-flank forward on the pitch on Tuesday, nowhere near.

Rising Talent Estevao Creates His Imprint

In Estevao, signed from Palmeiras for a fee that could climb to £52m, Chelsea have secured a player who could evolve as one of the very best. He has been making more and more of an influence since netting the late winner against Liverpool last month. His last four starts for Chelsea have brought four goals, and he also scored in both of Brazil’s friendlies during the international break. It’s just the beginning, but Brazil may finally have discovered the player they desperately wanted to have secured in Neymar.

Estevao amazing goal brightens 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 dismissed just before half-time, was a exemplary. In part, it was about Chelsea retrieving the ball back and a teammate's pass, but mostly it was about the Brazilian sprinting at incredible speed, feinting left and right, evading defenders and lashing a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Direct Battle and Robust Advantage

The chant of “You’re just a inferior Estêvão,” directed at Lamine Yamal may have been exaggeratedly harsh on the Spaniard, and may not have scanned, but there was no disputing 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 consistent 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 fundamentally by having some larger 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 imposed themselves on Barcelona. The strategy of using a speedy attacker and his pace through the middle was convincingly validated.

Restart Dominance and Defensive Solidity

The opener had felt approaching for at least five minutes before it arrived. It was no major surprise it came from a set play, an area of the game in which it feels like Premier League clubs are operating 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 embellish it with a short pass in a narrow space and a fancy flick. However elaborate the finish, though, the origin was a precise interchange from a corner that created space for Marc Cucurella to cross for a teammate.

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

That frustration would have serious consequences as it led to Lamine Yamal falling over Cucurella’s leg in an attempt to win a free-kick, which in turn led to Araújo being cautioned for his complaints. When the defender – was he still seething? Aware of his side’s weaknesses? Outsmarted? – dived at the opponent a few minutes later the outcome was inevitable and virtually resolved the game.

Game Plan Differences and Final Conclusion

Perhaps Barcelona could have hunkered down, shielded in a defensive formation and aimed 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 David Moyes and Hansi Flick.

A team organized 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 pushing into the space behind the back line, got a third from Liam Delap and, if they’d actually needed to, could likely have added a couple more.

It’s only the opening round and things can shift in the spring as accumulated fatigue begins to weaken at English sides but the tendency of Premier League control through quickness and force is clear.

Lamine Yamal was withdrawn with 10 minutes left, walking to the bench with a sense of rueful acceptance, accompanied by a few of unenthusiastic jeers. But there was no need to provoke him; the contest was already over and definitively so. Estêvão, the clear victor, exited the pitch to a ecstatic ovation three minutes later. His were the praises, and Chelsea’s the win.