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Each move Lamine Yamal performs oozes class. At times when he is moving about looking dejected, which he demonstrated frequently at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the nonchalant grace of a top player. He gently touches the ball rather than hitting it, producing remarkable power from limited back-lift. He functions on the balls of his feet, constantly vigilant, always able to go both ways. He slides rather than dashes, but does so at pace. He has already finished as silver medalist in the Ballon d’Or. But he was not the finest 18-year-old right-wing forward on the pitch on Tuesday, not even close.

Rising Prospect Estevao Creates His Mark

In Estevao, brought in from Palmeiras for a fee that could increase to £52m, Chelsea have acquired a player who could end up as one of the very best. He has been making more and more of an influence since netting the last-minute winner against Liverpool last month. His previous four starts for Chelsea have produced 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 eventually have found the player they keenly wanted to have identified in Neymar.

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

Estevao'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 Reece James’s pass, but primarily it was about the Brazilian darting at terrifying speed, feinting left and right, shaking off markers and lashing a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Direct Contest and Physical Advantage

The chant of “You’re just a shit Estevao,” directed at Lamine Yamal may have been overly harsh on the Spaniard, and may not have scanned, but there was no doubting which of the two had triumphed.

Estêvão 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 set to strengthen 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 had issues physically in the Premier League this season but outpowered Real Madrid. Newcastle beat Athletic Bilbao essentially by having some larger blokes to challenge for balls in the box.

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

Dead-Ball Dominance and Resilient Toughness

The initial strike had felt imminent for at least five minutes before it came. It was no major surprise it came from a dead-ball situation, 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 normal own goal, of course, but have to embellish it with a quick exchange in a tight space and a fancy flick. However embellished the finish, though, the cause was a smooth interchange from a corner that generated space for a Chelsea player to cross for Enzo Fernández.

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 stunned, perhaps even demoralized by a couple of blocks.

That annoyance would have significant 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 the Barcelona captain being booked for his protests. When the defender – continued fuming? Mindful of his side’s weaknesses? Beaten? – lunged at the opponent a few minutes later the conclusion was certain and practically settled the game.

Game Plan Differences and Ending Outcome

Perhaps Barcelona could have defended deeply, 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 diverse in attitude than David Moyes and the Barcelona coach.

A team organized 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 advancing into the space behind the back line, secured a third from a substitute and, if they’d actually needed to, could probably have notched a couple more.

It’s only the group stage and things can change in the spring as accumulated fatigue begins to weaken at English sides but the pattern of Premier League dominance through pace and strength is evident.

Lamine Yamal was replaced with 10 minutes to go, walking to the bench with a sense of regretful submission, accompanied by a scattering of half-hearted jeers. But there was no need to goad him; the fight was already lost and definitively so. Estevao, the clear victor, exited the pitch to a enthusiastic ovation three minutes later. His were the praises, and Chelsea’s the points.