Chelsea produced a superb performance to brush Barcelona aside in their marquee Champions League clash, with Enzo Maresca’s side running out comfortable 3-0 winners.
The Blues had seen two goals ruled out in the first half before a Jules Kounde own goal gave the hosts a well deserved advantage.
Barcelona were reduced to 10-men late when Ronald Araujo was shown a second yellow card for a clumsy foul on Marc Cucurella in the closing moments of the first half.
Chelsea’s rising Brazilian star Estevao produced the moment of the night with a slaloming run and powerful finish in the 55th minute.
Liam Delap added a third as Chelsea sealed a dominant victory to boost their hopes of automatic qualification from the league phase.
Daily Mail Sport’s Kieran Gill was at Stamford Bridge and rates the players from both sides.
CHELSEA (4-2-3-1)
Robert Sanchez – 7
Looked like he had already made his peace with conceding when Torres fired wide with Chelsea’s goal at his mercy. Other than that, Barcelona barely made Sanchez work for his clean sheet.
Malo Gusto – 7
He’s underrated, Gusto. He was pushing so far up the right flank that it allowed Estevao to move inside next to Neto. Rightly replaced at half-time due to being on a yellow card.
Wesley Fofana – 7.5
Accidentally handled the ball in the build-up to Fernandez scoring which saw one of Chelsea’s would-be openers disallowed. But performed his main job perfectly in stopping Lewandowski.
Trevoh Chalobah – 7.5
Chalobah was man-marking Lewandowski all the way into the Barcelona half at times, and played as if the Barca striker had wronged him somehow, such was his aggression.
Marc Cucurella – 8.5
Created Chelsea’s opener then won Barcelona’s second yellow card in being fouled by Araujo – and did all this while pocketing Barca’s 18-year-old sensation Yamal. Quite the night.
Reece James – 7
Risky pass into his midfield partner gifted possession to Barcelona and Torres should have punished Chelsea’s sloppy attempt at playing from the back by scoring. Got away with that, then achieved an easy assist after giving the ball to Estevao for his solo-strike.
Moises Caicedo – 7.5
Few actions on the football field produce a roar as loud as a challenge from Caicedo, and he did not disappoint Chelsea’s fans here. The timing of his tackles can be total perfection.
Estevao – 9
What. A. Goal. We billed this Champions League clash as Estevao versus Yamal in the battle of the 18-year-old wonderkids. There was only one winner: the Brazilian boy who has quickly become the prince of Stamford Bridge. Oh, and he was involved in the build-up to the opener, too. This kid is special.
Enzo Fernandez – 8
Two disallowed goals for Fernandez. First, for Fofana handling the ball in the build-up. Then, for Chalobah being in an offside position at a set-piece. But he assisted Delap for 3-0.
Alejandro Garnacho – 7
Helped in the build-up to Chelsea’s opener, playing the pass into Cucurella before he sent the ball into the box. Thought he had set up Santos for a goal but was disallowed for offside.
Pedro Neto – 7.5
Maresca loves Neto and he brings boundless energy when playing as a false nine. His attempt at a flicked finish led to the Blues’ opener, even if it went down as an own goal. The fans appreciated what he brought to this role.
SUBS USED
Andrey Santos (for Gusto, 45) – 7
Thought he had scored but Garnacho was deemed to be offside in the build-up. Came on for Gusto so that Chelsea’s right back did not run the risk of a second yellow.
Liam Delap (for Garnacho, 59) – 7
Chelsea thought they had seen a fourth goal disallowed for offside when Delap scored, but thankfully for the striker, VAR said this one was good to stand.
Jamie Gittens (for Neto, 75) – 6.5
Must be nice coming on in a match already won with Chelsea leading 3-0. Tried to create the odd attack but in truth, the Blues were in cruise control by this stage.
Tyrique George (for Estevao, 83)
Josh Acheampong (for James, 83)
MANAGER
Enzo Maresca – 7.5
I’ve rarely seen Maresca this animated on the touchline. He was kicking every ball. Chelsea’s game plan worked to perfection. Kudos to the Italian and his assistants.
BARCELONA (4-3-3)
Joan Garcia – 4
VAR helped Barcelona a few times here but when they scored their goals that stood, Garcia was powerless, especially as Estevao blasted the ball beyond him for 2-0. Oof. Pick that one out.
Jules Kounde – 4
Tried to stop Neto’s flick from going in but could not rearrange his feet in time, as he bundled the ball in himself on the goal-line. Chelsea deserved that lead, in fairness.
Ronald Araujo – 2
Booked for complaining in the referee’s face when Barcelona wanted a free-kick for Yamal, then was shown a second yellow after 44 minutes for crunching into Cucurella. Abysmal night for him.
Pau Cubarsi – 4
Judged to be the man in the Barcelona back line who was playing Cucurella onside for Chelsea’s opener. VAR was the Blues’ friend on that occasion because, initially, it looked offside.
Alejandro Balde – 4
Stretched to stop Fernandez’s shot from flying in. He did well, but Chelsea scored from the resulting corner which was taken short by Estevao.
Frenkie de Jong – 5
Aggressive harassing helped Barcelona pile the pressure on Chelsea when the hosts were trying to play from the back, but in truth, Chelsea won every battle here, including in midfield.
Eric Garcia – 5
He was wearing a mask and given how Chelsea played, if Barcelona had gotten anything from this, it would’ve been a robbery. Moved into the back line after the red card.
Fermin Lopez – 5
Dropped down like a sack of spuds in a bid to win a penalty from Chalobah, who told him to get up, and then tried to buy another spot-kick out of Sanchez.
Lamine Yamal – 4.5
Chelsea fans came up with a song for Yamal here after one tame attempt. It went: ‘You’re just a s*** Estevao.’ Another victim of Cucurella’s. The Blues left back loves pocketing superstars. When substituted, the home supporters taunted him with cheers.
Robert Lewandowski – 4.5
Given a warm welcome to Stamford Bridge when Chalobah stomped on his foot within two minutes. That told him what he was in for. Subbed after an hour of struggling for an impact.
Ferran Torres – 4
This game could have gone very differently had he finished his early chance. Instead, he missed an extraordinary opportunity and was hooked at half-time, to be replaced by Rashford.
SUBS
Marcus Rashford (for Torres, 45) – 5
Back in England, Rashford had 45 minutes to have an impact, but failed to do so.
Raphinha (for Lewandowski, 62) – 5
Like Rashford, he came on, and did little.
Andreas Christensen (for Lopez, 62) – 6
Back to face his former club. Not much he was ever going to do to change this outcome.
Gerard Martin (for Yamal, 80)
Dani Olmo (for Balde, 80)
MANAGER
Hansi Flick – 4
A nightmarish night for Flick. Chelsea won by three goals, but could have had twice that for the chances they created. Obviously, going a man down left them on to a loser.
REFEREE
Slavko Vincic – 6
Disallowed goal after disallowed goal, though we cannot complain about too many of them. He did well overall, and was right to show Araujo his second yellow.
