Joao Pedro explains how he felt after scoring Chelsea hat-trick as top four claim made

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Chelsea striker Joao Pedro continues to impress under Liam Rosenior

Joao Pedro insisted it was a "dream night" after scoring his first Premier League hat-trick in Chelsea's thumping win over Aston Villa.

The £55million summer signing helped Liam Rosenior's side gain the initiative in the race for Champions League qualification as the Blues battered Villa 4-1 on Wednesday evening. The result moved them into fifth position, three points behind Villa, whose form is faltering.

The Brazil striker has become a key man under new boss Rosenior, scoring eight of his 14 league goals across the last eight games.

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"I think it was another dream night for me," Joao Pedro said after scoring his 17th goal of the season. “Since I joined here I have been waiting for this moment, playing for a big team to get my hat-trick.

“I think it was a perfect night to get my first hat-trick with Chelsea. I just need to look forward and get more. I think everyone was perfect, when the team plays like this I will get chances.

“Everyone was top and we need to continue like this. It was a special day for everyone. We still have nine games to fight and to be in the top four.”

Joao Pedro is undoubtedly Chelsea's first-choice striker, with Liam Delap struggling to get into the team at present. The former Brighton and Watford man looks well on course now to reach 20 goals - and if so, he will become the first striker to do that for Chelsea since Diego Costa in 2016/17, almost a decade ago.

"Yeah, he's a top player. I think he's grown in confidence," Rosenior said of the 24-year-old.

"I think his hold-up play, the energy he puts into the team in terms of his press, his movement, his goal with the left foot is world-class. The finish is magnificent. But actually, I'm really, really delighted with his two tap-ins that he got. He was in the right place at the right time.

"We worked hard with him on that, but he gets the hat-trick. It's really hard to single someone out. I thought it was an outstanding team performance, starting with Filip, going through the back line, midfield, Moises, Enzo, Romeo when he comes on, Garnacho we've spoken about. I just thought it was an outstanding team performance."

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