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Each move Lamine Yamal executes radiates quality. At times when he is walking about seeming downcast, which he demonstrated frequently at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the casual style of a top player. He caresses the ball rather than striking it, creating remarkable power from restricted back-lift. He functions on the balls of his feet, continually vigilant, always able to go in any direction. He slides rather than runs, but does so at pace. He has already finished as second place in the Ballon d’Or. But he was not the finest 18-year-old right-wing forward on the pitch on Tuesday, not even close.

Emerging Talent Estevao Makes His Mark

In Estêvão, recruited from Palmeiras for a fee that could climb to £52m, Chelsea have secured a player who could evolve as one of the very best. He has been creating more and more of an impression since netting the dying moments 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 just the beginning, but Brazil may at last have uncovered the player they desperately wanted to have found in Neymar.

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

Estevao's goal, executed after 55 minutes to completely 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 masterpiece. In part, it was about Chelsea winning the ball back and a teammate's pass, but mainly it was about the Brazilian darting at frightening speed, deceiving left and right, shaking off defenders and driving a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Head-to-Head Battle and Powerful Edge

The slogan of “You’re just a shit Estevao,” directed at Lamine Yamal may have been extremely harsh on the Spaniard, and may not have scanned, but there was no questioning 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 frequent Premier League experience is only likely to amplify that.

It’s been a trait of the Champions League this season just how much of a athletic 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 basically by having some larger blokes to challenge for balls in the box.

And Chelsea, after some nervous moments in the opening quarter, by the midway point of the first half had asserted their authority on Barcelona. The strategy of using Pedro Neto and his pace through the middle was decisively justified.

Restart Dominance and Resilient Solidity

The initial strike had felt close for at least five minutes before it came. It was no major surprise it came from a set-piece, an area of the game in which it feels like Premier League clubs are competing with gems while the rest of the world is still using ordinary items. Barcelona can’t score a regular own goal, of course, but have to embellish it with a short pass in a confined space and a skillful move. However ornate the finish, though, the origin was a slick 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 attacking point of view. Lamine Yamal got the better of his marker only infrequently and seemed at times stunned, perhaps even demoralized by a couple of interceptions.

That frustration would have serious 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 yellow-carded for his complaints. When the defender – remained angry? Aware of his side’s shortcomings? Outmaneuvered? – lunged at the opponent a few minutes later the outcome was inevitable and effectively resolved the game.

Strategic Differences and Final Conclusion

Perhaps Barcelona could have hunkered down, 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 contrasting in mindset than David Moyes and Hansi Flick.

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

It’s only the opening round and things can shift in the spring as built-up fatigue begins to weaken at English sides but the tendency of Premier League supremacy through pace and force is clear.

Lamine Yamal was replaced with 10 minutes to go, walking to the bench with a sense of regretful resignation, pursued by a scattering of weak jeers. But there was no need to provoke him; the fight was already lost and conclusively so. Estêvão, the clear victor, departed the pitch to a rapturous ovation three minutes later. His were the honours, and Chelsea’s the win.