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Every action Lamine Yamal executes oozes quality. At times when he is moving about appearing dejected, which he demonstrated often at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the nonchalant style of a superstar. He gently touches the ball rather than kicking it, generating remarkable power from minimal back-lift. He operates on the balls of his feet, always alert, repeatedly able to go either way. He moves smoothly rather than runs, but does so at speed. He has already placed as runner-up in the Ballon d’Or. But he was not the top 18-year-old right-flank forward on the pitch on Tuesday, far from it.

Emerging Talent Estêvão Makes His Mark

In Estevao, recruited from Palmeiras for a fee that could rise to £52m, Chelsea have secured a player who could evolve as one of the top-tier. He has been building more and more of an impression since scoring the dying moments winner against Liverpool last month. His most recent four starts for Chelsea have brought four goals, and he also struck in both of Brazil’s friendlies during the international break. It’s just the beginning, but Brazil may finally have discovered the player they urgently wanted to have secured in Neymar.

Estevao spectacular goal brightens Chelsea’s impressive win over 10-man Barcelona

Estêvão’s goal, converted after 55 minutes to absolutely seal a win that hadn’t truly been in doubt from the moment the Barcelona captain was sent off just before half-time, was a masterpiece. In part, it was about Chelsea regaining the ball back and a teammate's pass, but mainly it was about the Brazilian scurrying at frightening speed, deceiving left and right, shaking off defenders and lashing a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Face-to-Face Contest and Robust Advantage

The slogan of “You’re just a poor Estêvão,” directed at Lamine Yamal may have been exaggeratedly 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 durable player – and consistent Premier League experience is only set to amplify 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 had issues 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 nervous moments in the opening quarter, by the middle point of the first half had taken control on Barcelona. The ploy of using Pedro Neto and his pace through the middle was emphatically justified.

Restart Mastery and Backline Strength

The opener had felt approaching for at least five minutes before it came. It was no great surprise it came from a set play, 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 normal own goal, of course, but have to enhance it with a one-two in a narrow space and a fancy flick. However embellished the finish, though, the reason was a smooth interchange from a corner that generated space for Marc Cucurella to cross for Enzo Fernández.

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

That annoyance would have major 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 the Barcelona captain being booked for his protests. When Araújo – continued fuming? Conscious of his side’s weaknesses? Beaten? – charged at Cucurella a few minutes later the outcome was inevitable and virtually settled the game.

Game Plan Variations and Final Result

Perhaps Barcelona could have defended deeply, protected in a defensive formation and aimed to grab something on the break, as Everton had done at Manchester United on Monday, but it’s hard to picture two managers more different in mindset 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 reduced to 10. They dropped off a bit, but Chelsea still kept pushing into the space behind the back line, got a third from a substitute and, if they’d truly needed to, could probably have notched a couple more.

It’s only the initial phase and things can evolve in the spring as accumulated fatigue begins to sap at English sides but the tendency of Premier League supremacy through pace and power is obvious.

Lamine Yamal was withdrawn with 10 minutes left, strolling to the bench with a sense of regretful acceptance, accompanied by a handful of weak jeers. But there was no need to taunt him; the contest was already over and decisively so. Estêvão, the obvious victor, departed the pitch to a rapturous ovation three minutes later. His were the accolades, and Chelsea’s the points.