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Every action Lamine Yamal executes radiates quality. On occasions where he is strolling about appearing downcast, which he demonstrated quite a bit at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the effortless style of a superstar. He softly controls the ball rather than kicking it, creating remarkable power from limited back-lift. He functions on the balls of his feet, continually alert, repeatedly able to go in any direction. He slides rather than runs, but does so at speed. He has already finished as runner-up in the Ballon d’Or. But he was not the best 18-year-old right-sided forward on the pitch on Tuesday, not even close.

Developing Talent Estêvão Makes His Mark

In Estêvão, brought in from Palmeiras for a fee that could increase to £52m, Chelsea have recruited a player who could end up as one of the elite. He has been building more and more of an impact since getting the dying moments winner against Liverpool last month. His last 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 premature, but Brazil may at last have uncovered the player they urgently wanted to have secured in Neymar.

Estevao wonder 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 really been in doubt from the moment the Barcelona captain was dismissed just before half-time, was a exemplary. 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, dummying left and right, shaking off opponents and lashing a shot high past the goalkeeper.

Head-to-Head Duel and Robust Edge

The chant of “You’re just a poor Estevao,” directed at Lamine Yamal may have been extremely harsh on the Spaniard, and may not have scanned, but there was no disputing 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 durable player – and frequent Premier League experience is only expected 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 basically by having some more physical blokes to go for balls in the box.

And Chelsea, after some shaky moments in the opening quarter, by the midway point of the first half had taken control on Barcelona. The ploy of using a speedy attacker and his pace through the middle was decisively vindicated.

Dead-Ball Expertise and Backline Toughness

The first goal had felt close for at least five minutes before it came. It was no great surprise it came from a set play, an area of the game in which it appears like Premier League clubs are competing with diamonds while the rest of the world is still using ordinary items. Barcelona can’t score a standard own goal, of course, but have to adorn it with a one-two in a confined space and a backheel nutmeg. However elaborate the finish, though, the reason was a smooth interchange from a corner that generated space for Marc Cucurella to cross for a teammate.

But the advantage doesn’t just manifest from an offensive point of view. Lamine Yamal got the better of Marc Cucurella only occasionally and seemed at times surprised, perhaps even disheartened by a couple of blocks.

That frustration would have significant 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 Araújo – was he still seething? Conscious of his side’s shortcomings? Beaten? – charged at Cucurella a few minutes later the conclusion was inevitable and practically resolved the game.

Tactical Differences and Ending Result

Perhaps Barcelona could have hunkered down, protected in a deep line 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 diverse in attitude than David Moyes and the Barcelona coach.

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

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

Lamine Yamal was withdrawn with 10 minutes remaining, wandering to the bench with a sense of sorrowful acceptance, pursued by a few of weak jeers. But there was no need to taunt him; the battle was already finished and decisively so. Estêvão, the clear victor, departed the pitch to a rapturous ovation three minutes later. His were the praises, and Chelsea’s the win.