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The main talking points and moments missed from Stamford Bridge on what turned out to be a memorable evening for Chelsea as they cruised past Barcelona in the Champions League
Barcelona were on a 54-game scoring streak in all competitions dating back to December 21, 2024. Enter Enzo Maresca's Chelsea side.
A Chelsea side as exciting as any other team in the world. A Chelsea side that have the potential to be the best team in the world.
Officially, they are just that. Crowned Club World Cup champions in July, but everyone involved with the club knew - and still knows - there is still so much more to prove. The Champions League is the perfect platform to do just that. Tuesday evening's demolition job on Barcelona is one that will live long in the memory.
Fuelled by the history between the two sides, the home supporters created an incredible atmosphere at Stamford Bridge. "Same old Barca, always cheating" was chanted on a couple of occasions in SW6 - with Blues fans evidently still scarred by that controversial defeat to the Catalan outfit in the Champions League semi-final in 2009. Fans don’t forget.
This Chelsea side, though, are desperate to write their own story - and Tuesday night was certainly a chapter. If this is all a story, then Estevao Willian is the main character.
A Lionel Messi-like goal from Chelsea's No.41 sent Stamford Bridge into raptures. Beating Pau Cubarsi with ease before smashing the ball into the roof of the net on his 'weaker' right foot. It was truly a sight to behold. The narrative going into the game was Estevao vs Lamine Yamal: the two best 18-year-olds in world football. Yet the stories of the two on the night were chalk and cheese.
Yamal, for once, had to take the back seat. Estevao drove.
The Brazil international produced a sensational, inspiring, match-winning display, while Yamal was hooked on 80 minutes after having a job done on him by his Spain colleague Marc Cucurella. Stamford Bridge cheered the Barcelona winger leaving the pitch like they scored a fourth goal.
A fourth goal was not required, though, with Chelsea winning 3-0 in a dominant performance. The Blues were in complete control of the tie - helped enormously by Ronald Araujo’s first-half red card - and only conceded one meaningful chance all game. Ferran Torres missed an absolute sitter when the game was goalless and that turned out to be a crucial moment in the match.
Barcelona would live to rue that missed opportunity, with Chelsea - in similar fashion to how they dispatched reigning European champions PSG in the summer - keeping the La Liga giants at arm's length throughout the game.
While the skill, elegance and guile of Estevao is undoubtedly the talking point from a Chelsea perspective, you must not underestimate the importance of Liam Delap's goal. His first of the season.
Unconventional by the way it was initially disallowed, delaying Delap's celebrations. But when the referee signalled the initial decision had been overturned, you could see the delight on the £30million signing's face. Like a dream come true for Delap.
It has not been easy for the 22-year-old striker since signing for the club over the summer. He impressed in parts during the Club World Cup, with big expectations on his shoulders coming into the new season. However, in just the third game of the campaign, Delap limped off injured with a hamstring problem. The striker would go on to miss two months of action because of the injury; making his long-awaited comeback against Wolves in the Carabao Cup.
At Molineux, though, Delap was sent off for two quick-fire yellow cards - leaving Maresca visibly and audibly furious with the actions of his striker. Since returning from suspension, Delap has shown glimpses of what he can offer Chelsea but it has left fans wanting more. That moment on Tuesday evening should - and hopefully will - ignite his Chelsea career.
All of the above left Maresca with a big smile on his face when the Chelsea head coach walked into the press conference room post-match, but he wasn’t always so calm and relaxed.
Fifty-one minutes into the game, Cucurella tackled Yamal right next to the Italian's technical area and the referee blew his whistle for a foul. This left Maresca incensed. He first of all jumped up into the air before spinning around towards his bench to vent his frustration. The fourth official got a bit of a talking to afterwards before the head coach's attention turned elsewhere.
That small moment, though, does not matter one bit now. Chelsea are absolutely flying in all competitions after an enormously impressive start to the season. Arsenal next.
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