Chelsea tore into Barcelona with a swagger rarely seen at Stamford Bridge in recent years as the Blues smashed the Spanish giants three nil in a Champions League night crackling with energy, noise and no little drama. And at the heart of it all stood an eighteen year old Brazilian winger who made the occasion entirely his own. Estevao Willian walked off the pitch to roars that shook the old place as he outclassed fellow wonderkid Lamine Yamal and carried Chelsea to a statement victory that will echo far beyond London.
Barcelona arrived full of talk about their jewel Yamal. They left having watched Estevao produce a moment that may well be replayed for months. The headline act came midway through the second half when the teenager danced through the visitors defence as if moving to a rhythm only he could hear. Pau Cubarsi was brushed aside. Alejandro Balde tried and failed to halt him. Then came the thunderous finish past Joan Garcia that froze the keeper to the spot. Stamford Bridge erupted. Barcelona wilted. And Yamal, the boy many claim is the brightest young attacker in world football, trudged off on eighty minutes to a chorus of mocking jeers.
Chelsea had already taken control and deservedly so. Cole Palmer was missing with a toe injury yet the Blues swaggered without him. Their opener was pure mischief. A short corner saw Estevao and Alejandro Garnacho combine with Marc Cucurella before a clever flick from Neto cannoned off Jules Kounde and dribbled into the net. Stamford Bridge roared with delight while Barcelona looked around in confusion.
Enzo Fernandez thought he had doubled the lead twice from set pieces only for both to be chalked off for offside. Reece James twice stung the palms of Garcia with venomous long range strikes. Neto should have scored when clean through but ballooned his finish into the stands. Chelsea were running riot and Barcelona knew it.
The visitors did carve out one golden chance before the break when former Manchester City striker Ferran Torres somehow jabbed a close range effort wide. That proved his final act. He was hooked at half time and replaced by Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford who brought endeavour but little else.
Once Estevao delivered his solo masterpiece the contest was gone. Liam Delap then ended his eleven match goal drought with a neat side footed strike after Fernandez broke clear and squared inside. The finish was simple. The celebration was pure relief.
The win sends Chelsea surging into the top eight of the vast league phase. Stay there over the final three games and they skip the awkward extra play off round in February. On this evidence they will fancy their chances. Stamford Bridge has a new star and Europe has been put on notice.