An attacking masterclass from Chelsea gave them a 3-0 UEFA Champions League (UCL) victory over 10-man Barcelona at Stamford Bridge, which marked their biggest-ever margin of victory over the Catalans and provisionally moved them into the top eight of the league phase table.
An early disallowed Chelsea goal for handball added to what was already an intense atmosphere at Stamford Bridge, and only Barça’s unmarked Ferran Torres will know how he missed the target from 10 yards out just a few minutes later.
As the game began to open up, the Blues appeared more purposeful, but the visitors threatened on the break, with Lamine Yamal at the hub of proceedings.
At the midway point of the first half, Estévão’s whipped free-kick was headed home by Enzo Fernández, but that too was ruled out, this time for offside.
It wouldn’t be long before Chelsea did score, however. Marc Cucurella’s low cross caused all sorts of problems, and when Torres and Jules Koundé both failed to sort their feet out, the ball bobbled over the line off the latter’s boot.
Barça huffed and puffed for the remainder of the half, but due in no small part to Moisés Caicedo’s defensive excellence in midfield, Chelsea kept them at bay with relative ease.
And as halftime approached, Ronald Araújo’s wild challenge on Cucurella earned him a second yellow card and subsequent red, ensuring an uphill battle in the second half for the Catalans.
