Chelsea gave Guus Hiddink the perfect farewell present as Frank Lampard's goal clinched a 2-1 win over Everton in Saturday's FA Cup final at John Terry and Frank Lampard hold the trophy after their English FA Cup final match victory against Everton at Wembley Stadium in London on May 30, 2009.
Blues interim boss Hiddink resumes his role as Russia coach on a full-time basis in June but he will always be fondly remembered at Stamford Bridge after leading Chelsea to their first trophy for two years.
Everton had made the perfect start when Louis Saha struck after just 25 seconds to claim the fastest goal in FA Cup final history. But Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba headed Chelsea level midway through the first half before Lampard's long-range effort sealed his club's fifth FA Cup success and ensured Hiddink would leave on a high.
It was also a memorable day for Chelsea defender Ashley Cole, who became the first player for more than 100 years to earn five FA Cup winners' medals. For Drogba it meant a welcome high after having been lambasted following his outburst when Chelsea were knocked out of the Champions League by Barcelona.
"I am really delighted," gasped Drogba. "It took a lot of effort. We needed to win a trophy this season. We just had to believe in our expectations. Guus Hiddink has transformed us." Lampard said that his tribute when he scored was for his mother, who died last year.
"We showed a lot of character and dominated the match after half-time," said Lampard. "The winning goal tribute was how my father (Frank senior) celebrated when he scored a rare goal. My mother would have appreciated it." While Chelsea celebrated their first silverware of the post-Jose Mourinho era, Everton were left with the nagging sense of an opportunity missed.
It is over 20 years since Everton were last a major force in English football but this season has offered renewed hope that a club often forced to play second fiddle to local rivals Liverpool can finally emerge from the shadows.
Even so, Toffees boss David Moyes knew they needed a victory in a major showpiece to confirm their return as an elite side. Moyes' decision to start with Saha instead of midfielder Jack Rodwell underlined his determination to take the game to Chelsea and he was rewarded for his boldness after only 25 seconds.
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