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Each move Lamine Yamal does exudes excellence. At times when he is moving about looking downcast, which he did frequently at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the effortless elegance of a star. He softly controls the ball rather than kicking it, creating remarkable power from minimal back-lift. He functions on the balls of his feet, always vigilant, consistently able to go either way. He slides rather than dashes, but does so at velocity. He has already ended up as runner-up in the Ballon d’Or. But he was not the best 18-year-old right-flank forward on the pitch on Tuesday, nowhere near.

Rising Talent Estevao Creates His Impact

In Estevao, brought in from Palmeiras for a fee that could increase to £52m, Chelsea have acquired a player who could turn out as one of the top-tier. He has been building more and more of an impact since getting the dying moments winner against Liverpool last month. His most recent four starts for Chelsea have brought four goals, and he also found the net in both of Brazil’s friendlies during the international break. It’s just the beginning, but Brazil may at last have found the player they desperately wanted to have secured in Neymar.

Estevao spectacular goal brightens Chelsea’s impressive 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 winning the ball back and a teammate's pass, but primarily it was about the Brazilian sprinting at terrifying speed, dummying left and right, evading markers and hammering a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Direct Duel and Physical Superiority

The chant of “You’re just a poor Estevao,” directed at Lamine Yamal may have been overly harsh on the Spaniard, and may not have scanned, but there was no questioning 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 robust 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 outpowered Real Madrid. Newcastle beat Athletic Bilbao basically by having some larger blokes to challenge for balls in the box.

And Chelsea, after some uneasy 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 Mastery and Defensive Strength

The initial strike had felt close for at least five minutes before it arrived. It was no great surprise it came from a set play, 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 basic tools. Barcelona can’t score a regular own goal, of course, but have to embellish it with a one-two in a confined space and a backheel nutmeg. However elaborate the finish, though, the cause was a slick interchange from a corner that generated space for a Chelsea player to cross for a teammate.

But the superiority doesn’t just appear from an offensive 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 blocks.

That annoyance would have serious consequences as it led to Lamine Yamal diving 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 Araújo – was he still seething? Mindful of his side’s shortcomings? Beaten? – lunged at the opponent a few minutes later the outcome was unavoidable and effectively resolved the game.

Tactical Differences and Closing Conclusion

Perhaps Barcelona could have defended deeply, protected in a deep line and tried to grab something on the break, as Everton had done at Manchester United on Monday, but it’s hard to envision two managers more contrasting in approach than David Moyes and Hansi Flick.

A team arranged to defend with a line as high as Barcelona’s really has nowhere to go when they are reduced to 10. They dropped off a bit, but Chelsea still kept driving into the space behind the back line, scored a third from Liam Delap and, if they’d really needed to, could possibly have added a couple more.

It’s only the opening round and things can shift in the spring as accumulated fatigue begins to drain at English sides but the trend of Premier League dominance through pace and strength is obvious.

Lamine Yamal was withdrawn with 10 minutes to go, wandering to the bench with a sense of sorrowful resignation, followed by a few of unenthusiastic jeers. But there was no need to provoke him; the contest was already lost and conclusively so. Estêvão, the obvious victor, left the pitch to a rapturous ovation three minutes later. His were the accolades, and Chelsea’s the win.