Olivier Giroud leaves Chelsea dreaming of repeating 2012 with Sevilla’s super show – John Cross

The last time Chelsea won four straight Champions League games they went on to win the trophy.

And after winning their fourth European game in the second leg in Seville, four-goal hero Olivier Giroud could make them dream again.

Giroud, 34, has become Chelsea’s lucky charm in this competition, as he hit a perfect hat-trick: left foot, right foot and header.

And then a late penalty just in case.

It was also the display of a perfect center forward, as he led the line brilliantly while Chelsea put on a master class performance to make the great players of European football sit up and take notice.

Sevilla have only lost four matches in 18 matches against English rivals, it is only the second time they have lost at home to English rivals and this is a team with a true European pedigree.

But Chelsea were able to make nine changes, bring in a lot of fringe players and still have enough quality and experience to beat last season’s Europa League winners.

Giroud was the man of the match and Chelsea are riding a wonderful wave of confidence and faith that can lead them to the biggest titles this season.

Unbelievably, Giroud is very likely to be on the bench again against Leeds on Saturday, which just goes to show the strength they have in store.

Giroud has already scored 17 goals in Europe, more than any other Chelsea player since joining the club in 2018, while Frank Lampard’s men are unbeaten in 15 games in all competitions.

The victory secured first place in Group E, potentially an easier draw in the round of 16 and they are also in great form in the Premier League, as they are third and just two points off the top.

In a season where it could be about which team has enough reserve, Chelsea have enough.

They won this trophy in 2012 as a surprise package and you cannot bet that they will surprise Europe again when they are able to deliver results like these.

It was also a night of records.

Giroud was the first player since Peter Osgood in 1971 to score four goals in one game.

The second to score four for an English team after Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2004.

And the second Frenchman after Bafetimbi Gomis got four for Lyon in 2011.

Chelsea’s first goal came in eight minutes, when Kai Havertz, Germany’s oldest young prospect, lunged forward and into the area.

His ingenious break found Giroud, who switched the ball to his favorite left foot and lifted the ball past rookie Sevilla goalkeeper Alfonso Pastor.

Sevilla started the second half with force, put Chelsea behind and the visitors had to defend well and, however, it was then that Lampard’s men found another march and another goal in the 54th minute.

Jorginho turned and found some space in midfield, Mateo Kovacic passed a ball to Giroud, who then deftly dominated it over goalkeeper Pastor with an exquisite shot, done with all his years of composure.

The third goal came at 74 minutes. Lampard was starting to sound the changes, but there was no way Giroud wanted to come out with more goals.

Substitute N’Golo Kante broke the right wing, put a cross to the near post and Giroud went to the goal at the first post.

There was still time for another. Giroud was almost unstoppable and Sergi Gómez found that the only way to prevent him from getting another was by dragging him into the area.

Giroud climbed back up and headed home in the upper corner.

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