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Every action Lamine Yamal executes radiates class. Even when he is moving about looking disheartened, which he did often at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the effortless style of a star. He caresses the ball rather than striking it, generating impressive power from restricted back-lift. He plays on the balls of his feet, constantly aware, consistently able to go in any direction. He moves smoothly rather than runs, but does so at pace. He has already placed as second place in the Ballon d’Or. But he was not the best 18-year-old right-flank forward on the pitch on Tuesday, nowhere near.

Developing Prospect Estêvão Makes His Imprint

In Estêvão, brought in from Palmeiras for a fee that could rise to £52m, Chelsea have acquired a player who could evolve as one of the top-tier. He has been creating more and more of an impression since getting the last-minute winner against Liverpool last month. His last four starts for Chelsea have produced four goals, and he also scored in both of Brazil’s friendlies during the international break. It’s premature, but Brazil may finally have discovered the player they desperately wanted to have secured in Neymar.

Estevao spectacular goal lights up Chelsea’s statement 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 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 scurrying at terrifying speed, deceiving left and right, brushing off defenders and driving a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Direct Duel and Physical Advantage

The taunt of “You’re just a shit Estêvão,” directed at Lamine Yamal may have been extremely harsh on the Spaniard, and may not have fit, but there was no doubting 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 consistent Premier League experience is only expected to enhance that.

It’s been a feature of the Champions League this season just how much of a physical edge Premier League teams have over their European rivals. Liverpool have had issues physically in the Premier League this season but dominated Real Madrid. Newcastle beat Athletic Bilbao basically 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 asserted their authority on Barcelona. The ploy of using Pedro Neto and his pace through the middle was convincingly justified.

Set-Piece Mastery and Backline Toughness

The initial strike had felt imminent for at least five minutes before it materialized. It was no major surprise it came from a set play, an area of the game in which it appears like Premier League clubs are operating with diamonds while the rest of the world is still using conkers. Barcelona can’t score a normal own goal, of course, but have to adorn it with a quick exchange in a confined space and a backheel nutmeg. However embellished the finish, though, the reason was a slick interchange from a corner that created space for Marc Cucurella to cross for Enzo Fernández.

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

That irritation would have serious 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 complaints. When the defender – remained angry? Mindful of his side’s weaknesses? Outsmarted? – dived at the opponent a few minutes later the outcome was inevitable and effectively decided the game.

Tactical Differences and Closing Outcome

Perhaps Barcelona could have hunkered down, shielded in a low block and hoped 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 approach than David Moyes and Hansi Flick.

A team arranged to defend with a line as high as Barcelona’s really has nowhere to go 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 Liam Delap and, if they’d really needed to, could likely have added a couple more.

It’s only the opening round and things can evolve in the spring as built-up fatigue begins to weaken at English sides but the pattern of Premier League dominance through quickness and force is evident.

Lamine Yamal was replaced with 10 minutes to go, walking to the bench with a sense of rueful acceptance, accompanied by a scattering of unenthusiastic jeers. But there was no need to provoke him; the battle was already lost and definitively so. Estevao, the clear victor, exited the pitch to a ecstatic ovation three minutes later. His were the honours, and Chelsea’s the points.