Chelsea give Hiddink the perfect leaving present

Chelsea 2 Everton 1. A sensational start by Everton – with the quickest-ever FA Cup final goal by Louis Saha, in just 25 seconds – was not enough to hold off Chelsea for the remaining 89 minutes and 35 seconds at a sun-drenched Wembley yesterday. Didier Drogba’s equaliser in the 21st minute and a stunning second-half strike by Frank Lampard gave departing manager Guus Hiddink a "beautiful" send-off.

Hiddink, who now returns to his job with Russia's national team, ended his four-month stint at Chelsea by winning the Blues’ first silverware in two years – the club's first trophy since Jose Mourinho.

"Winning in the mecca of world football, the FA Cup, that's something I cannot believe," said the Dutch coach, who apologised for taking so long to emerge from the dressing room after the match.

"We've all just been having a nice farewell dance party. This is almost the perfect farewell, though I must say it would have been even better had we been in the other final a few days ago. It is not just that I wanted to be in Rome, but I would love to have played Manchester United and I never got the chance. I am glad to have won this trophy before leaving, though. This club must win some silverware every season."

Lampard's elegantly struck, 20-yard strike after 72 minutes was his 20th of the campaign. The England midfielder unleashed his left-footed drive just past Tim Howard’s dive.

Man of the match was Ashley Cole – giving the Chelsea defender a fifth FA Cup winners' medal - a feat not achieved since the 19th century. ·