Estevao stars as Chelsea effortlessly see off Barcelona

Chelsea secured a comfortable 3-0 win over Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

The host got off to a fast start as Enzo Fernandez thought he had given the West Londoners the lead inside three minutes, but his effort was ruled out for handball as it struck Wesley Fofana’s arm in the buildup.

Two minutes later, Ferran Torres was sure to put the visitors ahead after Caicedo lost possession just outside the area, but the Spaniard rolled his effort wide.

Fernandez was denied once more from putting Chelsea in front after his headed effort from Estevao’s free kick was ruled out for offside.

Neto was left with a chance to finally break the deadlock, but he miscued his effort and blasted well over Joan Garcia’s goal.

In the 27th minute, the Blues’ fierce attack eventually paid off as Jules Kounde put the ball into his own net from a Neto goal-bound flick.

Just before halftime, the visitors were reduced to 10 men as Barca captain Ronald Araujo received his second yellow card and was sent off for recklessly bringing Cucurella to the ground.

For the fourth time of the night, the host found the net through substitute Andrey Santos five minutes after the break but was ruled out again after Garnacho had strayed offside in the buildup.

Estevao doubled the Blues’ advantage in the 55th minute after the youngster picked up possession from Reece James, wriggling his way into the area before unleashing a lethal strike into the roof of the net beyond the reach of Garcia.

Neto almost increased the deficit as his lightening pace drew him 1v1 with Garcia, but the goalkeeper denied the Portuguese with his legs.

Following VAR intervention, Liam Delap’s tap-in from Fernandez’s low cross sealed the deal for Chelsea as the Englishman got his first Champions League goal.

The Blues move up to fifth place on the Champions League standings and host Arsenal in the Premier League next on Sunday for a top-of-the-table London derby clash.