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Each move Lamine Yamal executes oozes quality. On occasions where he is strolling about appearing downcast, which he demonstrated quite a bit at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the nonchalant grace of a top player. He softly controls the ball rather than kicking it, producing extraordinary power from restricted back-lift. He operates on the balls of his feet, always vigilant, repeatedly able to go in any direction. He glides rather than sprints, but does so at pace. He has already ended up as second place in the Ballon d’Or. But he was not the top 18-year-old right-flank forward on the pitch on Tuesday, nowhere near.

Rising Prospect Estevao Leaves His Mark

In Estêvão, brought in from Palmeiras for a fee that could rise to £52m, Chelsea have recruited a player who could turn out as one of the very best. 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 struck in both of Brazil’s friendlies during the international break. It’s premature, but Brazil may eventually have discovered the player they urgently wanted to have identified in Neymar.

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

Estêvão’s goal, converted after 55 minutes to definitively 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 masterpiece. In part, it was about Chelsea regaining the ball back and a teammate's pass, but mainly it was about the Brazilian sprinting at frightening speed, dummying left and right, shaking off opponents and driving a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Direct Contest and Physical Superiority

The taunt of “You’re just a poor Estevao,” directed at Lamine Yamal may have been exaggeratedly harsh on the Spaniard, and may not have scanned, but there was no questioning 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 robust player – and regular Premier League experience is only likely to strengthen that.

It’s been a feature of the Champions League this season just how much of a bodily edge Premier League teams have over their European rivals. Liverpool have struggled physically in the Premier League this season but overwhelmed Real Madrid. Newcastle beat Athletic Bilbao basically by having some bigger 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 tactic of using Pedro Neto and his pace through the middle was decisively justified.

Dead-Ball Dominance and Resilient Strength

The initial strike 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 basic tools. Barcelona can’t score a regular own goal, of course, but have to embellish it with a quick exchange in a confined space and a fancy flick. However ornate the finish, though, the cause was a slick interchange from a corner that created space for Marc Cucurella to cross for a teammate.

But the superiority doesn’t just appear from an attacking point of view. Lamine Yamal got the better of his marker only occasionally and seemed at times surprised, perhaps even discouraged by a couple of tackles.

That annoyance would have significant 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 Araújo being booked for his complaints. When the defender – remained angry? Conscious of his side’s shortcomings? Outmaneuvered? – lunged at Cucurella a few minutes later the result was unavoidable and effectively resolved the game.

Strategic Contrasts and Closing Conclusion

Perhaps Barcelona could have dug in, protected in a deep line and tried to snatch something on the break, as Everton had done at Manchester United on Monday, but it’s hard to picture two managers more diverse in approach than David Moyes and the Barcelona coach.

A team organized to defend with a line as high as Barcelona’s really has few options when they are diminished to 10. They fell back a bit, but Chelsea still kept advancing into the space behind the back line, scored a third from a substitute and, if they’d truly needed to, could possibly have added a couple more.

It’s only the opening round and things can evolve in the spring as accumulated fatigue begins to weaken at English sides but the tendency of Premier League control through quickness and power is evident.

Lamine Yamal was withdrawn with 10 minutes to go, walking to the bench with a sense of rueful submission, accompanied by a scattering of weak jeers. But there was no need to goad him; the battle was already finished and definitively so. Estêvão, the undeniable victor, departed the pitch to a rapturous ovation three minutes later. His were the honours, and Chelsea’s the win.