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Each move Lamine Yamal executes radiates excellence. Even when he is strolling about seeming downcast, which he showed often at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the casual elegance of a superstar. He gently touches the ball rather than hitting it, generating impressive power from minimal back-lift. He operates on the balls of his feet, always aware, always able to go in any direction. He moves smoothly rather than runs, but does so at speed. He has already placed as second place in the Ballon d’Or. But he was not the top 18-year-old right-sided forward on the pitch on Tuesday, not even close.

Rising Talent Estevao Leaves His Impact

In Estevao, brought in from Palmeiras for a fee that could increase to £52m, Chelsea have secured a player who could turn out as one of the very best. He has been creating more and more of an influence since netting the last-minute winner against Liverpool last month. His most recent four starts for Chelsea have yielded four goals, and he also struck in both of Brazil’s friendlies during the international break. It’s just the beginning, but Brazil may finally have uncovered the player they urgently wanted to have found in Neymar.

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

Estevao's goal, executed 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 classic. In part, it was about Chelsea retrieving the ball back and Reece James’s pass, but primarily it was about the Brazilian sprinting at incredible speed, dummying left and right, shaking off defenders and lashing a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Head-to-Head Battle and Powerful Edge

The taunt of “You’re just a poor Estêvão,” directed at Lamine Yamal may have been overly harsh on the Spaniard, and may not have rhymed, but there was no questioning 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 resilient player – and regular Premier League experience is only set 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 faced difficulties physically in the Premier League this season but dominated Real Madrid. Newcastle beat Athletic Bilbao essentially by having some more physical blokes to attack balls in the box.

And Chelsea, after some shaky moments in the opening quarter, by the halfway point of the first half had taken control on Barcelona. The strategy of using Pedro Neto and his pace through the middle was emphatically vindicated.

Dead-Ball Mastery and Defensive Solidity

The initial strike had felt approaching for at least five minutes before it arrived. It was no major surprise it came from a set-piece, an area of the game in which it feels like Premier League clubs are playing with precious stones while the rest of the world is still using ordinary items. Barcelona can’t score a standard own goal, of course, but have to enhance it with a one-two in a tight space and a skillful move. However embellished the finish, though, the reason was a smooth interchange from a corner that generated space for Marc Cucurella to cross for a teammate.

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

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 the Barcelona captain being yellow-carded for his protests. When Araújo – was he still seething? Mindful of his side’s limitations? Outmaneuvered? – charged at the opponent a few minutes later the outcome was certain and practically resolved the game.

Strategic Contrasts and Ending Conclusion

Perhaps Barcelona could have hunkered down, protected in a defensive formation and tried to pinch something on the break, as Everton had done at Manchester United on Monday, but it’s hard to imagine two managers more contrasting in attitude than David Moyes and Hansi Flick.

A team set up to defend with a line as high as Barcelona’s really has few options when they are diminished to 10. They dropped off a bit, but Chelsea still kept driving into the space behind the back line, secured a third from Liam Delap and, if they’d actually needed to, could likely have scored a couple more.

It’s only the group stage and things can shift in the spring as built-up fatigue begins to drain at English sides but the tendency of Premier League dominance through speed and power is clear.

Lamine Yamal was withdrawn with 10 minutes left, walking to the bench with a sense of rueful resignation, followed by a handful of unenthusiastic jeers. But there was no need to provoke him; the battle was already over and decisively so. Estevao, the obvious victor, left the pitch to a rapturous ovation three minutes later. His were the honours, and Chelsea’s the victory.