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Everything Lamine Yamal performs radiates class. At times when he is strolling about appearing disheartened, which he did frequently at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the casual grace of a top player. He caresses the ball rather than striking it, creating impressive power from restricted back-lift. He functions on the balls of his feet, constantly vigilant, always able to go either way. He slides rather than sprints, but does so at pace. He has already ended up as silver medalist in the Ballon d’Or. But he was not the finest 18-year-old right-flank forward on the pitch on Tuesday, far from it.

Developing Prospect Estevao Makes His Imprint

In Estêvão, recruited from Palmeiras for a fee that could rise to £52m, Chelsea have secured a player who could turn out as one of the elite. He has been making more and more of an impression since getting the last-minute winner against Liverpool last month. His most recent four starts for Chelsea have produced four goals, and he also struck in both of Brazil’s friendlies during the international break. It’s very early, but Brazil may at last have discovered the player they keenly wanted to have identified in Neymar.

Estevao amazing goal illuminates Chelsea’s dominant win over 10-man Barcelona

Estêvão’s goal, executed after 55 minutes to definitively seal a win that hadn’t fully been in doubt from the moment the Barcelona captain was dismissed just before half-time, was a classic. In part, it was about Chelsea regaining the ball back and Reece James’s pass, but mainly it was about the Brazilian sprinting at terrifying speed, feinting left and right, evading opponents and lashing a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Face-to-Face Contest and Robust Superiority

The slogan of “You’re just a poor Estevao,” directed at Lamine Yamal may have been exaggeratedly harsh on the Spaniard, and may not have rhymed, but there was no disputing which of the two had come out on top.

Estêvão 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 set to enhance that.

It’s been a trait 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 dominated Real Madrid. Newcastle beat Athletic Bilbao basically by having some larger blokes to challenge for balls in the box.

And Chelsea, after some shaky moments in the opening quarter, by the midway point of the first half had asserted their authority on Barcelona. The strategy of using Pedro Neto and his pace through the middle was decisively validated.

Restart Dominance and Backline Strength

The opener had felt close for at least five minutes before it materialized. It was no big surprise it came from a set play, an area of the game in which it seems like Premier League clubs are operating with gems while the rest of the world is still using basic tools. Barcelona can’t score a regular own goal, of course, but have to adorn it with a quick exchange in a confined space and a fancy flick. However ornate the finish, though, the cause was a slick interchange from a corner that generated space for Marc Cucurella to cross for Enzo Fernández.

But the superiority doesn’t just manifest from an offensive point of view. Lamine Yamal got the better of his marker only occasionally and seemed at times stunned, perhaps even discouraged by a couple of blocks.

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 Araújo being yellow-carded for his arguments. When Araújo – was he still seething? Aware of his side’s limitations? Outsmarted? – lunged at the opponent a few minutes later the outcome was inevitable and practically settled the game.

Strategic Variations and Ending Result

Perhaps Barcelona could have dug in, defended in a low block and aimed to snatch something on the break, as Everton had done at Manchester United on Monday, but it’s hard to envision two managers more different in mindset than David Moyes and the Barcelona coach.

A team arranged to defend with a line as high as Barcelona’s really has no escape when they are cut down to 10. They fell back a bit, but Chelsea still kept advancing into the space behind the back line, got a third from a substitute and, if they’d really needed to, could possibly have notched a couple more.

It’s only the initial phase and things can shift in the spring as accumulated fatigue begins to sap at English sides but the trend of Premier League supremacy through speed and power is evident.

Lamine Yamal was withdrawn with 10 minutes remaining, 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 over and conclusively so. Estêvão, the clear victor, departed the pitch to a enthusiastic ovation three minutes later. His were the accolades, and Chelsea’s the victory.