HEAD bowed, grimace visible from every seat in Wembley, Phil Neville dusted himself down and led his troops towards the depressed but appreciative Everton fans.

After a moment of understandable silence on the final whistle, Neville's actions prompted another stirring series of renditions from the blue legion which had magnificently backed their side.

Click here for all the FA Cup Final pictures from Chelsea 2 v Everton 1

It was a show of leadership in keeping with the example he has set since being handed the Everton armband.

Ninety minutes earlier, the same player was at his fist-clenching best, trying to impose his trophy-winning experiences at Old Trafford on a side which still needs to learn how to win honours.

Sadly for Neville, the sheer will to win and capacity to inject dynamism into his team-mates was not enough.

Class told in the end. As predicted, Chelsea's embarrassment of riches was too much for the grit and determination of the Merseysiders.

Neville is the embodiment of how Everton tried to win this competition and how most neutrals hoped they would.

They had integrity, honesty, endeavour and toil, but that could not compensate for their lack of ability in key areas against one of Europe's best.

After beating Manchester United and Liverpool, it is cruel for David Moyes he faced the only other side in the country that could overpower his men so comfortably.

It is Everton's endearing qualities - represented by Neville - which provide the foundation for further success

And when Moyes assesses where and how to build upwards, he will have his chief lieutenant standing right next to him.

Fantasy

Neville is a limited player. That was clearly exposed at Wembley, where the gulf in class in midfield was the key difference between success and failure.

But his attitude makes him a manager's dream. Never has a Manc (the nickname he fondly embraces in his own dressing room) been so revered in Liverpool.

Neville's fantasy yesterday was to finally shrug off the tag of being an 'ex-United player' and be fully recognised as an Evertonian.

Nothing but the unshakeable image of lifting the FA Cup could have achieved that. Unless his stint at Goodison ends with a medal, it will always be the Old Trafford reunions where he makes most appearances once his career is over.

WISE WORDS - Phil Neville consoles Tim Cahill

But at least Neville has broken with tradition to prove there is life after Fergie for those brave enough to walk out on United on their own terms.

There is usually only one way out of Old Trafford - down a slippery pole towards football's wastelands.

He could have stayed at United, playing a peripheral role, filling his rota of sub appearances to ensure a few more league medals on the back of others' contribution.

There are plenty at United still doing that, shoving their way on to winners' podiums with barely a few eight-minute sub appearances to their name.

Neville knew there would be days like this at Everton. Privately he must take more satisfaction from being at the core of a re-emerging club which has gone close rather than being a bit-part player in a side which knows only success.

His role now is to inject more belief into this team to ensure this represents the start of the Goodison revival, not the highlight of it.

The swiftness of Neville's post-match, bold march to the Everton fans may have seemed an almost trivial, barely noticeable gesture, but it ensured another break in recent cup final tradition. Too often a side's defeat leads to an immediate exodus at one end, with the winners parading their spoils to a half-empty stadium.

Message

Given recent evidence, had Louis Saha's early strike been the winner, it would have been interesting to note exactly how many of the Chelsea fans would have waited to say goodbye to Guus Hiddink.

The Evertonians were too proud of their side's efforts getting so far to scurry away and miss the motorway traffic.

They applauded their team, they lauded their manager and they thanked their skipper.

They gave this final a humility which has too often been lacking on English football's grandest stage, and they took the lead from their skipper.

"We'll be back," was the message from Neville.

He may just make his team-mates and those fans believe it.

Tim Howard 5

SHOWED a few early signs of uncertainty due to lack of communication with his centre-halves. No chance with Drogba's goal but got his hands to Lampard's strike and should have kept it out.

Mins on pitch 90, catches 2, saves 2, clearances 0, cards (yellow/red) 0/0

Tony Hibbert 4

AFTER a nightmare start against Florent Malouda, his confidence visibly waned. Everton's vulnerability on right flank was exposed in build-up to Drogba's goal. Subbed at half-time, he was lucky to last that long.

Mins on pitch 45, tackles 3, passes (successful) 12 (8), shots (on target) 0 (0), cards (yellow/red) 1/0

Yobo 6

ONLY playing because of injury to Phil Jagielka and was accomplished stand-in. There was little protection from the Everton midfield for the defenders and they were looking ragged in the final stages of the match.

Mins on pitch 90, tackles 1, passes (successful) 25 (17), shots (on target) 0 (0), cards (yellow/red) 0/0

Joleon Lescott 6

WOULD have been dreaming of causing trouble in the box from set-pieces but corners were beyond his side. Rumours this might be his last game for the club. If so, it was an inauspicious way to bow out.

Mins on pitch 90, tackles 1, passes (successful) 39 (25), shots (on target) 0 (0), cards (yellow/red) 0/0

Leighton Baines 6

SOLID dependable full-back, he was confronted with Anelka's pace most of the afternoon and dealt with it. Unable to venture forward to any great effect but grew into the game the longer it progressed.

Mins on pitch 90, tackles 3, passes (successful) 31 (28), shots (on target) 0 (0), cards (yellow/red) 1/0

Leon Osman 5

COULD not impose himself on the game and spent most of the first half trying to help out Hibbert. Usually a goal threat from midfield, he was never in the attacking third enough to have a pop on goal.

Mins on pitch 83, tackles 3, passes (successful) 20 (14), shots (on target) 0 (0), cards (yellow/red) 0/0

Phil Neville 6

SO often the inspirational leader, he was outnumbered in midfield and struggled to make an impact. Missed tackle in build-up to Lampard's goal and will be devastated to lose chance to lift the FA Cup as skipper.

Mins on pitch 90, tackles 3, passes (successful) 43 (34), shots (on target) 0 (0), cards (yellow/red) 1/0

Steven Pienaar 7

TERRIFIC underrated player. With an extra yard of pace he would be a world beater. Always looked the most likely in a blue shirt to find inspiration but didn't have enough help. Will be a key player for Moyes next season.

Mins on pitch 90, tackles 3, passes (successful) 42 (26), shots (on target) 1 (0), cards (yellow/red) 0/0

Tim Cahill 6

DUBBED the new Alan Ball by Bill Kenwright, he struggled to make an impression in his deeper midfield role. The extra responsibility meant the Aussie had to curb his enthusiasm for running beyond the strikers.

Mins on pitch 90, tackles 1, passes (successful) 26 (21), shots (on target) 2 (1), cards (yellow/red) 0/0

Marouane Fellaini 6

CAN be erratic but he showed glimpses of skill in a more advanced role. Chronic lack of midfield service in first half meant he spent too much time with his back to goal. Only his hair stood out yesterday.

Mins on pitch 90,tackles 1, passes(successful) 49 (25), shots (on target) 0 (0), cards (yellow/red) 0/0

Louis Saha 7

TOOK no time to make an impact with brilliant, lightning-quick strike. His pace looked like it could create a goal from scraps. Unfortunately, his lack of fitness remains an issue and he tired late on.

Mins on pitch 77, tackles 0, passes (successful) 13 (8), shots (on target) 3 (1), cards (yellow/red) 0/0

SUBSTITUTES

JACOBSEN (left, Hibbert, 46 min) 6. His introduction was essential due to Hibbert's turmoil and he dealt with Malouda far more effectively.

VAUGHAN (Saha, 77) 5. His enthusiasm often got the better of him with daft fouls.

GOSLING (Osman, 83) 5. Sent on in bid to repeat heroics of his Liverpool winner.

NOT USED: Nash, Castillo, Rodwell, Baxter.

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