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Everything Lamine Yamal executes exudes class. On occasions where he is strolling about appearing downcast, which he demonstrated often at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the casual grace of a top player. He gently touches the ball rather than striking it, producing remarkable power from minimal back-lift. He operates on the balls of his feet, constantly vigilant, repeatedly able to go both ways. He slides rather than sprints, but does so at pace. He has already ended up 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, not even close.

Rising Star Estevao Creates His Mark

In Estêvão, recruited from Palmeiras for a fee that could climb to £52m, Chelsea have acquired a player who could turn out as one of the top-tier. He has been making more and more of an impact since netting the late winner against Liverpool last month. His most recent four starts for Chelsea have brought four goals, and he also found the net in both of Brazil’s friendlies during the international break. It’s very early, but Brazil may eventually have discovered the player they keenly wanted to have identified in Neymar.

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

Estêvão’s goal, scored 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 masterpiece. In part, it was about Chelsea regaining the ball back and Reece James’s pass, but mostly it was about the Brazilian scurrying at frightening speed, deceiving left and right, shaking off opponents and hammering a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Face-to-Face Contest and Powerful Edge

The slogan of “You’re just a inferior 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.

Estevao is 80 days older and has played 22 games fewer but at the moment he looks a more resilient player – and consistent Premier League experience is only set to strengthen 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 struggled physically in the Premier League this season but dominated Real Madrid. Newcastle beat Athletic Bilbao fundamentally by having some larger blokes to attack balls in the box.

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

Dead-Ball Mastery and Backline Solidity

The first goal had felt approaching for at least five minutes before it materialized. It was no big surprise it came from a dead-ball situation, an area of the game in which it seems like Premier League clubs are playing 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 enhance it with a quick exchange in a tight space and a fancy flick. However embellished the finish, though, the reason was a smooth interchange from a corner that opened up space for a Chelsea player to cross for a teammate.

But the superiority doesn’t just show from an goal-scoring point of view. Lamine Yamal got the better of his marker only infrequently 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 falling over the defender's leg in an attempt to win a free-kick, which in turn led to the Barcelona captain being cautioned for his complaints. When the defender – remained angry? Mindful of his side’s shortcomings? Beaten? – dived at the opponent a few minutes later the result was inevitable and virtually resolved the game.

Game Plan Differences and Final Outcome

Perhaps Barcelona could have dug in, defended in a defensive formation 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 the Everton boss and the Barcelona coach.

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 dropped off a bit, but Chelsea still kept pushing into the space behind the back line, secured a third from Liam Delap and, if they’d actually needed to, could possibly have notched a couple more.

It’s only the group stage and things can evolve in the spring as collected fatigue begins to sap at English sides but the trend of Premier League dominance through speed and force is clear.

Lamine Yamal was replaced with 10 minutes remaining, wandering to the bench with a sense of regretful acceptance, pursued by a handful of weak jeers. But there was no need to goad him; the fight was already over and decisively so. Estevao, the clear victor, exited the pitch to a enthusiastic ovation three minutes later. His were the honours, and Chelsea’s the points.