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Everything Lamine Yamal does radiates excellence. At times when he is walking about seeming disheartened, which he did frequently at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the effortless style of a superstar. He softly controls the ball rather than kicking it, producing extraordinary power from restricted back-lift. He operates on the balls of his feet, always vigilant, always able to go either way. He slides rather than runs, but does so at pace. He has already ended up as second place in the Ballon d’Or. But he was not the finest 18-year-old right-sided forward on the pitch on Tuesday, nowhere near.

Developing Talent Estêvão Makes His Impact

In Estevao, recruited from Palmeiras for a fee that could increase to £52m, Chelsea have secured a player who could end up 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 last four starts for Chelsea have yielded four goals, and he also found the net in both of Brazil’s friendlies during the international break. It’s premature, but Brazil may finally have uncovered the player they urgently wanted to have found in Neymar.

Estevao spectacular goal lights up 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 exemplary. In part, it was about Chelsea retrieving the ball back and a teammate's pass, but mostly it was about the Brazilian darting at frightening speed, dummying left and right, evading defenders and lashing a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Face-to-Face Duel and Powerful Edge

The slogan of “You’re just a inferior 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.

Estêvão is 80 days older and has played 22 games fewer but at the moment he looks a more robust player – and regular 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 athletic 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 basically by having some bigger blokes to go for balls in the box.

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

Dead-Ball Dominance and Backline Toughness

The opener had felt close for at least five minutes before it materialized. It was no great surprise it came from a set-piece, an area of the game in which it feels like Premier League clubs are operating with diamonds while the rest of the world is still using basic tools. Barcelona can’t score a standard own goal, of course, but have to enhance it with a quick exchange in a confined space and a fancy flick. However elaborate the finish, though, the origin was a smooth interchange from a corner that opened up space for a Chelsea player to cross for a teammate.

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

That annoyance would have major consequences as it led to Lamine Yamal plunging 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 arguments. When Araújo – remained angry? Conscious of his side’s shortcomings? Outmaneuvered? – charged at the opponent a few minutes later the outcome was unavoidable and practically decided the game.

Tactical Variations and Closing Outcome

Perhaps Barcelona could have defended deeply, shielded in a low block 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 diverse in attitude than David Moyes and Hansi Flick.

A team organized to defend with a line as high as Barcelona’s really has nowhere to go when they are diminished 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 actually needed to, could likely have added a couple more.

It’s only the opening round and things can change in the spring as collected fatigue begins to drain at English sides but the trend of Premier League control through speed and force is clear.

Lamine Yamal was withdrawn with 10 minutes left, strolling to the bench with a sense of sorrowful acceptance, followed by a few of unenthusiastic jeers. But there was no need to taunt him; the battle was already finished and conclusively so. Estevao, the obvious victor, exited the pitch to a enthusiastic ovation three minutes later. His were the accolades, and Chelsea’s the victory.