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Everything Lamine Yamal performs radiates quality. Even when he is strolling about looking disheartened, which he demonstrated often at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the effortless grace of a top player. He caresses the ball rather than striking it, producing extraordinary power from restricted back-lift. He functions on the balls of his feet, continually vigilant, always able to go both ways. He glides rather than sprints, but does so at speed. He has already ended up as silver medalist in the Ballon d’Or. But he was not the best 18-year-old right-wing forward on the pitch on Tuesday, nowhere near.

Developing Talent Estevao Makes His Mark

In Estevao, signed from Palmeiras for a fee that could increase to £52m, Chelsea have recruited a player who could turn out as one of the top-tier. He has been building more and more of an influence since scoring the last-minute winner against Liverpool last month. His previous four starts for Chelsea have produced four goals, and he also found the net in both of Brazil’s friendlies during the international break. It’s premature, but Brazil may eventually have found the player they keenly wanted to have found in Neymar.

Estêvão amazing goal illuminates Chelsea’s dominant win over 10-man Barcelona

Estêvão’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 dismissed just before half-time, was a masterpiece. In part, it was about Chelsea winning the ball back and a teammate's pass, but mainly it was about the Brazilian scurrying at incredible speed, deceiving left and right, evading markers and lashing a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Direct Battle and Robust Edge

The slogan of “You’re just a inferior Estêvão,” directed at Lamine Yamal may have been exaggeratedly harsh on the Spaniard, and may not have rhymed, but there was no questioning 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 set to amplify 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 had issues physically in the Premier League this season but overwhelmed Real Madrid. Newcastle beat Athletic Bilbao fundamentally by having some larger blokes to go for balls in the box.

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

Set-Piece Expertise and Backline Strength

The opener had felt close for at least five minutes before it arrived. It was no great surprise it came from a set-piece, an area of the game in which it feels 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 embellish it with a short pass in a tight space and a fancy flick. However ornate the finish, though, the origin was a slick interchange from a corner that created space for Marc Cucurella to cross for Enzo Fernández.

But the edge doesn’t just show from an goal-scoring point of view. Lamine Yamal got the better of Marc Cucurella only rarely and seemed at times shocked, perhaps even discouraged by a couple of interceptions.

That frustration would have major 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 arguments. When Araújo – remained angry? Mindful of his side’s shortcomings? Outsmarted? – dived at the opponent a few minutes later the outcome was certain and virtually decided the game.

Game Plan Differences and Closing Outcome

Perhaps Barcelona could have dug in, shielded in a deep line and tried to pinch something on the break, as Everton had done at Manchester United on Monday, but it’s hard to envision two managers more different 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 few options when they are diminished to 10. They dropped off a bit, but Chelsea still kept advancing into the space behind the back line, secured a third from a substitute and, if they’d really needed to, could probably have notched a couple more.

It’s only the opening round and things can shift in the spring as collected fatigue begins to weaken at English sides but the tendency of Premier League dominance through pace and power is clear.

Lamine Yamal was substituted with 10 minutes to go, walking to the bench with a sense of sorrowful acceptance, accompanied by a scattering of half-hearted jeers. But there was no need to goad him; the battle was already lost and conclusively so. Estêvão, the undeniable victor, exited the pitch to a ecstatic ovation three minutes later. His were the accolades, and Chelsea’s the victory.