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Every action Lamine Yamal does exudes excellence. Even when he is moving about appearing disheartened, which he showed often at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the nonchalant style of a star. He gently touches the ball rather than striking it, producing impressive power from minimal back-lift. He operates on the balls of his feet, always alert, repeatedly able to go both ways. He glides rather than runs, but does so at speed. He has already ended up as silver medalist in the Ballon d’Or. But he was not the best 18-year-old right-wing forward on the pitch on Tuesday, nowhere near.

Rising Talent Estêvão Leaves His Impact

In Estevao, recruited from Palmeiras for a fee that could increase to £52m, Chelsea have recruited 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 late 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 premature, but Brazil may eventually have found the player they keenly wanted to have found in Neymar.

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

Estêvão’s goal, converted after 55 minutes to definitively seal a win that hadn’t fully 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 regaining the ball back and a teammate's pass, but mostly it was about the Brazilian scurrying at terrifying speed, feinting left and right, brushing off markers and driving a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Direct Duel and Robust 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 rhymed, but there was no disputing 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 resilient player – and consistent Premier League experience is only expected to amplify 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 struggled physically in the Premier League this season but outpowered Real Madrid. Newcastle beat Athletic Bilbao essentially by having some more physical 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 tactic of using a speedy attacker and his pace through the middle was convincingly vindicated.

Dead-Ball Mastery and Defensive Toughness

The opener had felt approaching for at least five minutes before it arrived. It was no big surprise it came from a dead-ball situation, an area of the game in which it appears like Premier League clubs are competing with gems while the rest of the world is still using basic tools. Barcelona can’t score a normal own goal, of course, but have to adorn it with a one-two in a tight space and a backheel nutmeg. However ornate the finish, though, the origin was a slick interchange from a corner that opened up space for Marc Cucurella to cross for Enzo Fernández.

But the edge doesn’t just appear 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 interceptions.

That annoyance would have significant 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 Araújo being yellow-carded for his protests. When the defender – remained angry? Conscious of his side’s limitations? Beaten? – charged at the opponent a few minutes later the outcome was unavoidable and virtually settled the game.

Tactical Variations and Ending Result

Perhaps Barcelona could have dug in, defended in a low block and hoped to snatch 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 the Barcelona coach.

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, scored a third from Liam Delap and, if they’d actually needed to, could possibly have scored a couple more.

It’s only the initial phase and things can shift in the spring as collected fatigue begins to drain at English sides but the tendency of Premier League dominance through quickness and force is evident.

Lamine Yamal was replaced with 10 minutes left, strolling to the bench with a sense of regretful resignation, pursued by a handful of weak jeers. But there was no need to goad him; the contest was already finished and definitively so. Estevao, the clear victor, exited the pitch to a rapturous ovation three minutes later. His were the praises, and Chelsea’s the points.