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Everything Lamine Yamal executes oozes class. On occasions where he is walking about appearing dejected, which he did often at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the casual style of a superstar. He gently touches the ball rather than kicking it, generating extraordinary power from minimal back-lift. He functions on the balls of his feet, constantly alert, always able to go either way. He moves smoothly rather than sprints, but does so at speed. He has already finished as second place in the Ballon d’Or. But he was not the best 18-year-old right-flank forward on the pitch on Tuesday, nowhere near.

Emerging Star Estevao Creates His Imprint

In Estevao, signed from Palmeiras for a fee that could rise to £52m, Chelsea have acquired a player who could turn out as one of the elite. He has been building more and more of an impact since netting the last-minute winner against Liverpool last month. His previous four starts for Chelsea have produced four goals, and he also scored in both of Brazil’s friendlies during the international break. It’s premature, but Brazil may eventually have uncovered the player they urgently wanted to have identified in Neymar.

Estevao wonder goal lights up Chelsea’s dominant win over 10-man Barcelona

Estevao's goal, scored after 55 minutes to absolutely 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 mainly it was about the Brazilian sprinting at incredible speed, feinting left and right, shaking off markers and hammering a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Direct Contest and Powerful Edge

The chant of “You’re just a shit Estevao,” directed at Lamine Yamal may have been extremely harsh on the Spaniard, and may not have scanned, 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 durable player – and frequent Premier League experience is only likely to enhance that.

It’s been a feature of the Champions League this season just how much of a bodily 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 fundamentally by having some bigger blokes to attack 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 ploy of using a speedy attacker and his pace through the middle was convincingly vindicated.

Set-Piece Expertise and Backline Solidity

The first goal had felt imminent for at least five minutes before it came. It was no great surprise it came from a dead-ball situation, an area of the game in which it appears like Premier League clubs are operating with precious stones while the rest of the world is still using conkers. Barcelona can’t score a regular own goal, of course, but have to adorn it with a one-two in a tight space and a backheel nutmeg. However embellished the finish, though, the origin was a precise interchange from a corner that generated space for Marc Cucurella to cross for a teammate.

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

That frustration would have serious 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 cautioned for his complaints. When Araújo – was he still seething? Mindful of his side’s limitations? Outmaneuvered? – lunged at the opponent a few minutes later the conclusion was certain and effectively decided the game.

Strategic Contrasts and Ending Result

Perhaps Barcelona could have dug in, defended in a deep line and aimed 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 few options when they are reduced to 10. They dropped off a bit, but Chelsea still kept advancing into the space behind the back line, scored a third from Liam Delap and, if they’d really needed to, could probably have scored a couple more.

It’s only the group stage and things can evolve in the spring as collected fatigue begins to weaken at English sides but the pattern of Premier League supremacy through pace and force is evident.

Lamine Yamal was substituted with 10 minutes to go, strolling to the bench with a sense of rueful acceptance, accompanied by a scattering of half-hearted jeers. But there was no need to taunt him; the battle was already over and conclusively so. Estêvão, the undeniable victor, departed the pitch to a enthusiastic ovation three minutes later. His were the praises, and Chelsea’s the win.