Chelsea winger Estevao Willian produced a dazzling performance to overshadow fellow teenage star Lamine Yamal in a commanding 3-0 victory over 10-man Barcelona in the Champions League.
The 18-year-old Brazilian lit up Stamford Bridge with a brilliant solo goal to make it 2-0, bursting past Pau Cubarsi, shrugging off Alejandro Balde and firing past Joan Garcia shortly after Barça captain Ronald Araujo was sent off for a second yellow on the stroke of half-time.
Chelsea had already taken the lead through an own goal from Jules Kounde, the defender diverting Neto’s flick into his own net after a clever short-corner routine involving Estevao, Alejandro Garnacho and Marc Cucurella.
Teenage Barcelona winger Yamal, also 18, struggled to make an impact and was substituted in the 80th minute to jeers from the home crowd — just moments before Estevao departed to a standing ovation.
Enzo Fernandez saw two set-piece goals ruled out for offside, while Chelsea’s Reece James tested Garcia with a pair of long-range strikes. Neto also missed a golden opportunity when clean through.
Barcelona’s best first-half chance fell to ex-Manchester City forward Ferran Torres, who somehow placed a close-range effort wide before being replaced by Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford at the break.
Chelsea sealed the win when substitute Liam Delap — ending an 11-game goal drought — side-footed home after Fernandez beat the offside trap and squared across goal.
The victory lifted Chelsea into the top eight of the new 36-team league phase, putting them on course to avoid the February play-off round with three matches left.
