🔗 Share this article

Each move Lamine Yamal executes exudes quality. At times when he is walking about seeming dejected, which he demonstrated quite a bit at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the casual grace of a star. He softly controls the ball rather than hitting it, producing impressive power from minimal back-lift. He functions on the balls of his feet, always vigilant, always able to go either way. He moves smoothly rather than dashes, but does so at pace. 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, nowhere near.

Emerging Star Estêvão Leaves His Mark

In Estevao, brought in from Palmeiras for a fee that could increase to £52m, Chelsea have secured a player who could turn out as one of the top-tier. He has been creating more and more of an impact since getting 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 just the beginning, but Brazil may eventually have discovered the player they keenly wanted to have found in Neymar.

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

Estêvão’s goal, executed after 55 minutes to absolutely seal a win that hadn’t fully been in doubt from the moment the Barcelona captain was red-carded just before half-time, was a classic. In part, it was about Chelsea retrieving the ball back and a teammate's pass, but mainly it was about the Brazilian darting at frightening speed, feinting left and right, evading markers and lashing a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Direct Duel and Robust Superiority

The taunt of “You’re just a poor Estevao,” directed at Lamine Yamal may have been overly harsh on the Spaniard, and may not have fit, but there was no doubting which of the two had prevailed.

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 likely to strengthen that.

It’s been a characteristic 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 overwhelmed Real Madrid. Newcastle beat Athletic Bilbao fundamentally by having some larger blokes to challenge 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 tactic of using a speedy attacker and his pace through the middle was decisively validated.

Set-Piece Dominance and Resilient Solidity

The first goal had felt approaching for at least five minutes before it came. It was no major surprise it came from a set play, an area of the game in which it seems like Premier League clubs are operating with gems while the rest of the world is still using basic tools. Barcelona can’t score a standard own goal, of course, but have to enhance it with a quick exchange in a narrow space and a fancy flick. However elaborate the finish, though, the origin was a slick interchange from a corner that generated space for a Chelsea player to cross for a teammate.

But the superiority doesn’t just appear from an offensive 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 blocks.

That annoyance would have major consequences as it led to Lamine Yamal plunging 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 – remained angry? Conscious of his side’s shortcomings? Outmaneuvered? – dived at Cucurella a few minutes later the outcome was certain and practically decided the game.

Strategic Contrasts and Final Result

Perhaps Barcelona could have hunkered down, protected in a deep line and hoped to grab something on the break, as Everton had done at Manchester United on Monday, but it’s hard to imagine two managers more different in attitude than the Everton boss and the Barcelona coach.

A team arranged to defend with a line as high as Barcelona’s really has few options when they are reduced to 10. They fell back a bit, but Chelsea still kept pushing into the space behind the back line, scored a third from Liam Delap and, if they’d really needed to, could possibly have notched a couple more.

It’s only the group stage and things can shift in the spring as built-up fatigue begins to sap at English sides but the tendency of Premier League control through pace and strength is clear.

Lamine Yamal was withdrawn with 10 minutes left, walking to the bench with a sense of sorrowful resignation, followed by a handful of unenthusiastic jeers. But there was no need to taunt him; the fight was already lost and decisively so. Estevao, the clear victor, departed the pitch to a rapturous ovation three minutes later. His were the honours, and Chelsea’s the victory.