🔗 Share this article

Each move Lamine Yamal does oozes excellence. At times when he is strolling about seeming disheartened, which he demonstrated quite a bit at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the nonchalant style of a top player. He softly controls the ball rather than hitting it, producing impressive power from minimal back-lift. He operates on the balls of his feet, constantly aware, consistently able to go in any direction. He moves smoothly rather than dashes, but does so at pace. He has already placed as runner-up in the Ballon d’Or. But he was not the top 18-year-old right-wing forward on the pitch on Tuesday, nowhere near.

Emerging Talent Estêvão Leaves His Mark

In Estêvão, signed from Palmeiras for a fee that could rise to £52m, Chelsea have acquired a player who could turn out as one of the top-tier. He has been making more and more of an impact since getting the late winner against Liverpool last month. His last four starts for Chelsea have brought 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 discovered the player they desperately wanted to have identified in Neymar.

Estevao spectacular goal illuminates Chelsea’s statement win over 10-man Barcelona

Estevao's goal, executed after 55 minutes to completely 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 classic. In part, it was about Chelsea retrieving the ball back and a teammate's pass, but primarily it was about the Brazilian sprinting at incredible speed, dummying left and right, brushing off defenders and hammering a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Direct Contest and Powerful Superiority

The chant of “You’re just a shit 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 prevailed.

Estêvão is 80 days older and has played 22 games fewer but at the moment he looks a more robust player – and frequent Premier League experience is only set to strengthen that.

It’s been a feature 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 basically by having some bigger blokes to challenge for balls in the box.

And Chelsea, after some nervous moments in the opening quarter, by the middle point of the first half had asserted their authority on Barcelona. The ploy of using a speedy attacker and his pace through the middle was convincingly justified.

Set-Piece Dominance and Backline Toughness

The first goal had felt close for at least five minutes before it arrived. It was no big surprise it came from a set-piece, an area of the game in which it seems like Premier League clubs are playing with gems while the rest of the world is still using conkers. 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 ornate the finish, though, the reason was a slick interchange from a corner that opened up space for a Chelsea player to cross for Enzo Fernández.

But the advantage doesn’t just show from an goal-scoring point of view. Lamine Yamal got the better of his marker only occasionally and seemed at times surprised, perhaps even discouraged by a couple of tackles.

That annoyance would have significant consequences as it led to Lamine Yamal diving over the defender's leg in an attempt to win a free-kick, which in turn led to the Barcelona captain being cautioned for his protests. When the defender – remained angry? Aware of his side’s shortcomings? Outsmarted? – charged at Cucurella a few minutes later the result was certain and effectively resolved the game.

Strategic Differences and Closing Result

Perhaps Barcelona could have dug in, protected in a low block and hoped to grab something on the break, as Everton had done at Manchester United on Monday, but it’s hard to picture two managers more diverse in mindset than the Everton boss and the Barcelona coach.

A team set up to defend with a line as high as Barcelona’s really has nowhere to go when they are diminished to 10. They retreated a bit, but Chelsea still kept advancing into the space behind the back line, secured a third from Liam Delap and, if they’d truly needed to, could possibly have notched a couple more.

It’s only the group stage and things can shift in the spring as accumulated fatigue begins to drain at English sides but the trend of Premier League control through speed and power is obvious.

Lamine Yamal was withdrawn with 10 minutes to go, strolling to the bench with a sense of rueful acceptance, pursued by a few of half-hearted jeers. But there was no need to provoke him; the contest was already lost and decisively so. Estêvão, the obvious victor, left the pitch to a rapturous ovation three minutes later. His were the accolades, and Chelsea’s the points.