Estêvão’s Delight At ‘perfect Night’ After Chelsea Teenager Helps See Off Barcelona

Estêvão Willian relished nan biggest nighttime of his short profession aft ­powering Chelsea to a 3-0 triumph against Barcelona successful nan Champions League pinch a typical solo goal.

The 18-year-old Brazilian struggled to make consciousness of his emotions aft a typical nighttime astatine Stamford Bridge. Estêvão, who joined Chelsea from Palmeiras for £52m past summer, convincingly won his conflict pinch Barca’s Lamine Yamal and stole nan limelight erstwhile he put Enzo Maresca’s broadside 2-0 up early successful nan 2nd half.

“I don’t really person immoderate words,” nan Chelsea winger said. “It was nan cleanable night. It was each very quick. It was specified a typical extremity successful my profession for maine and I dream to people galore more.

“It was nan astir typical infinitesimal of my career. I’m truthful happy my family were here. From nan infinitesimal I arrived I felt specified a relationship for nan fans. I’m truthful happy I tin people for them and make them happy.”

Estêvão is only nan 3rd teen – aft Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé – to people successful each of his first 3 Champions League starts. But Maresca, whose broadside roseate to 5th successful nan standings, sought to play down comparisons pinch Lionel Messi.

“Estêvão needs to relax, bask his football,” Chelsea’s caput coach said. “Him and Lamine, if you commencement to talk astir Messi and Ronaldo, it’s excessively overmuch unit for young boys for illustration them. It’s excessively overmuch for them.”

Chelsea took nan lead done an own-goal from Jules Koundé and rounded disconnected nan scoring done Liam Delap. Barça were outplayed and were reduced to 10 men erstwhile Ronald Araújo received a 2nd ­yellow conscionable earlier half-time.

Chelsea are unbeaten successful six matches successful each competitions earlier hosting Arsenal connected Sunday. Maresca plans to springiness his players 2 days disconnected earlier ramping up preparations for nan Premier League pacesetters.

“I told nan players to move disconnected successful nan adjacent 48 hours, person a rest, and past connected Sunday we person Arsenal,” nan Italian said. “From Friday, we commencement to deliberation astir Arsenal. We request to support nan momentum. It’s overmuch easier to retrieve power erstwhile you triumph games.”