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Every action Lamine Yamal does radiates quality. At times when he is strolling about seeming dejected, which he showed frequently at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the effortless style of a superstar. He gently touches the ball rather than striking it, creating remarkable power from minimal back-lift. He plays on the balls of his feet, continually aware, repeatedly able to go either way. He slides rather than dashes, but does so at velocity. He has already finished 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.

Rising Prospect Estêvão Leaves His Imprint

In Estêvão, signed from Palmeiras for a fee that could increase 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 impact since getting the last-minute winner against Liverpool last month. His most recent four starts for Chelsea have yielded four goals, and he also scored in both of Brazil’s friendlies during the international break. It’s very early, but Brazil may at last have discovered the player they desperately wanted to have secured in Neymar.

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

Estevao's goal, executed after 55 minutes to completely seal a win that hadn’t fully been in doubt from the moment the Barcelona captain was dismissed just before half-time, was a masterpiece. In part, it was about Chelsea retrieving the ball back and Reece James’s pass, but primarily it was about the Brazilian scurrying at incredible speed, dummying left and right, brushing off defenders and driving a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Head-to-Head Contest 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 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 robust player – and regular Premier League experience is only expected to enhance that.

It’s been a feature of the Champions League this season just how much of a athletic edge Premier League teams have over their European rivals. Liverpool have faced difficulties physically in the Premier League this season but overwhelmed Real Madrid. Newcastle beat Athletic Bilbao essentially by having some larger 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 Pedro Neto and his pace through the middle was convincingly vindicated.

Set-Piece Expertise and Backline Solidity

The opener had felt approaching for at least five minutes before it materialized. It was no big surprise it came from a set-piece, an area of the game in which it feels like Premier League clubs are competing with diamonds while the rest of the world is still using ordinary items. Barcelona can’t score a regular own goal, of course, but have to embellish it with a short pass in a tight space and a skillful move. However ornate the finish, though, the origin was a smooth interchange from a corner that generated space for a Chelsea player to cross for a teammate.

But the superiority doesn’t just show from an attacking point of view. Lamine Yamal got the better of his marker only occasionally and seemed at times surprised, perhaps even disheartened by a couple of interceptions.

That annoyance would have significant consequences as it led to Lamine Yamal falling over Cucurella’s leg in an attempt to win a free-kick, which in turn led to the Barcelona captain being booked for his complaints. When the defender – continued fuming? Aware of his side’s limitations? Outmaneuvered? – dived at the opponent a few minutes later the outcome was certain and effectively settled the game.

Game Plan Variations and Final Outcome

Perhaps Barcelona could have hunkered down, shielded in a deep line and aimed to grab 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 Hansi Flick.

A team organized to defend with a line as high as Barcelona’s really has few options when they are cut down to 10. They fell back a bit, but Chelsea still kept driving into the space behind the back line, scored a third from a substitute and, if they’d really needed to, could likely have notched a couple more.

It’s only the opening round and things can change in the spring as accumulated fatigue begins to sap at English sides but the tendency of Premier League control through pace and power is clear.

Lamine Yamal was withdrawn with 10 minutes to go, strolling to the bench with a sense of rueful submission, accompanied by a few of half-hearted jeers. But there was no need to goad him; the battle was already lost and definitively so. Estêvão, the undeniable victor, exited the pitch to a ecstatic ovation three minutes later. His were the accolades, and Chelsea’s the points.