With a stunning solo Champions League goal against Lamine Yamal, Chelsea defeated 10-man Barcelona 3-0 on Tuesday in a close encounter with Estevao.
In the run-up to the game at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca urged his players to ignore the comparisons, with the two 18-year-olds receiving the most attention.
Ten minutes after half-time, Estevao received the ball on the right before beating two defenders and launching it into Joan Garcia’s net’s roof.
In his first season at Chelsea, the winger scored 10 goals overall for both clubs and communities.
In the 73rd minute, substitute Liam Delap sidefooted home from close range to put Barcelona, who were already 1-0 up and down to 10 men, on top of the standings.
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Delap’s goal was initially for offside, but VAR overruled the on-field officials.
Chelsea, a two-time European champion, were just rewarded for their superiority from the beginning against a pitiful Barcelona side.
The action had already slowed down.
In the fourth minute, Enzo Fernandez bundled the ball into the net only to have Wesley Fofana’s handball cause the goal to be ruled out.
When Robert Sanchez was the only one to beat, Ferran Torres skewed wide to the left and scored in the opposite direction two minutes later, it appeared certain to score at the other end.
Upped the tempo
Then the pace was raised once more before Chelsea resumed play.
Fernandez once more had the ball in the net, but this time it was for offside, and Pedro Neto blazed over the bar just as the ball was being blocked.
However, following a short-corner routine, the home side’s pressure finally paid off in the 27th minute.
Barcelona eventually broke up the game, with Jules Kounde sending the ball home for an own goal as Barcelona eventually fought back.
Ronald Araujo, the Barcelona captain, was sent off for a second time just before half-time for a poor challenge on Marc Cucurella.
While Barcelona, a five-time champions league champion, provided little in the second half despite Chelsea’s continued intensity and were well rewarded with the goals from Estevao and Delap.
After Estevao scored late in the game, the Stamford Bridge fans mocked the ineffective Yamal and made fun of him.
After two years away, Maresca’s men, who are now back in the Champions League, have now won three of their first five games to give themselves a fighting chance to finish in the top eight.
That would automatically grant the last 16 automatic qualification.
The Premier League side is also gaining steam ahead of Sunday’s home game against leaders Arsenal, which is second.
Source: Channels TV
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