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Everything Lamine Yamal executes exudes quality. At times when he is moving about appearing dejected, which he demonstrated frequently at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the nonchalant grace of a superstar. He gently touches the ball rather than striking it, generating extraordinary power from limited back-lift. He functions on the balls of his feet, constantly aware, repeatedly able to go either way. He slides rather than dashes, but does so at pace. He has already finished as second place in the Ballon d’Or. But he was not the best 18-year-old right-wing forward on the pitch on Tuesday, far from it.

Emerging Star Estevao Creates His Impact

In Estevao, recruited from Palmeiras for a fee that could increase to £52m, Chelsea have acquired a player who could turn out as one of the elite. He has been making more and more of an impression since getting the late winner against Liverpool last month. His last four starts for Chelsea have brought four goals, and he also struck in both of Brazil’s friendlies during the international break. It’s very early, but Brazil may finally have discovered the player they desperately wanted to have secured in Neymar.

Estêvão wonder goal brightens Chelsea’s dominant win over 10-man Barcelona

Estêvão’s goal, converted after 55 minutes to definitively seal a win that hadn’t really been in doubt from the moment the Barcelona captain was sent off just before half-time, was a classic. In part, it was about Chelsea retrieving the ball back and Reece James’s pass, but primarily it was about the Brazilian darting at frightening speed, dummying left and right, shaking off opponents and hammering a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Face-to-Face Contest and Powerful Edge

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

Estevao is 80 days older and has played 22 games fewer but at the moment he looks a more robust player – and frequent Premier League experience is only likely to strengthen 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 faced difficulties physically in the Premier League this season but outpowered Real Madrid. Newcastle beat Athletic Bilbao essentially by having some bigger blokes to challenge 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 ploy of using a speedy attacker and his pace through the middle was convincingly validated.

Restart Expertise and Resilient Toughness

The opener had felt imminent for at least five minutes before it materialized. It was no major surprise it came from a set-piece, 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 elaborate the finish, though, the reason was a slick interchange from a corner that generated space for Marc Cucurella to cross for a teammate.

But the edge doesn’t just manifest from an offensive point of view. Lamine Yamal got the better of Marc Cucurella only occasionally and seemed at times surprised, perhaps even disheartened by a couple of tackles.

That annoyance would have serious consequences as it led to Lamine Yamal plunging over Cucurella’s leg in an attempt to win a free-kick, which in turn led to the Barcelona captain being booked for his arguments. When the defender – continued fuming? Mindful of his side’s shortcomings? Beaten? – lunged at the opponent a few minutes later the result was certain and virtually settled the game.

Tactical Contrasts and Ending Result

Perhaps Barcelona could have dug in, defended 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 the Barcelona coach.

A team set up to defend with a line as high as Barcelona’s really has nowhere to go when they are diminished to 10. They fell back a bit, but Chelsea still kept advancing into the space behind the back line, scored a third from a substitute and, if they’d truly needed to, could possibly have added a couple more.

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

Lamine Yamal was withdrawn with 10 minutes left, strolling to the bench with a sense of sorrowful resignation, pursued by a scattering of unenthusiastic jeers. But there was no need to taunt him; the contest was already finished and definitively so. Estêvão, the obvious victor, departed the pitch to a rapturous ovation three minutes later. His were the honours, and Chelsea’s the points.