Chelsea produced a dominant display to beat Barcelona 3-0 in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening.
The game got off to an electric start as Enzo Fernandez thought he had given Chelsea the lead inside three minutes, but his effort was ruled out for handball.
Ferran Torres squandered a big chance at the other end, dragging his one-on-one effort wide of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Fernandez was denied again from giving Chelsea the opener after heading Estevao’s cross into the net, only for it to be ruled out for offside.
Chelsea were eventually rewarded for their bright start when Jules Kounde turned the ball into his own net.
Barcelona’s hopes of drawing level suffered a setback before half-time as stand-in captain Ronald Araujo was sent off for a second bookable offence.
The La Liga reigning champions are now the third side to score an own goal and receive a red card in the first half of a Champions League match.
Substitute Andrey Santos thought he had doubled Chelsea’s lead after the break, but was denied by the offside flag.
Estevao gave Chelsea a two-goal cushion with a brilliant strike, mesmerising Pau Cubarsi and evading Alejandro Balde’s tackle before powering an effort home.
The Brazilian is the third teenager, after Kylian Mbappe and Erling Braut Haaland, to score in each of his first three Champions League starts.
Pedro Neto almost added to Chelsea’s tally after a fast break, but was denied by goalkeeper Joan Garcia. However, the Spaniard could not prevent Liam Delap from making it 3-0.
Substitute Raphinha registered Barcelona’s only shot on target in the second half, forcing Sanchez to make a low save.
Chelsea have climbed to fifth in the standings while Barcelona are 15th and in danger of missing out on automatic progression to the knockout stage.
