Lampard: Cup is perfect parting gift for Guus

Frank Lampard believes winning the FA Cup is the perfect send-off for departing interim manager Guus Hiddink.

Hiddink, who arrived in February, returns to coaching Russia full-time tonight and the 2-1 defeat of Everton at Wembley was a fitting finale to a successful spell in charge.

“He’s a great manager and a great man,” said Lampard, who scored the winning goal after Didier Drogba’s header cancelled out Louis Saha’s opener after 25 seconds.

“It’s a great send-off for him and we’re delighted to give him a trophy.

“It was amazing. After we went 1-0 down we dominated the game.

“I always felt we could win it and I’m pleased to get the goal that won it.”

Drogba hailed the battling qualities the Blues showed to come back from 1-0 down after Saha scored the fastest goal in FA Cup final history.

“It’s fantastic, I’m delighted,” Drogba added on ITV Sport. “I’m really happy to finish the season this way.

“It was a difficult start but you have to say it was a very good goal. But our strength is to believe in ourselves and our qualities and we played with more confidence – that’s why we won today.”

Drogba also paid tribute to the effect Hiddink has had on Chelsea since he replaced Luiz Felipe Scolari.

“I think the discipline between us was always good – you don’t win six or seven trophies in five years if you don’t have discipline in friendship. But the manger has given us an extra bit.

“We know his qualities.”

Chelsea skipper John Terry paid tribute to Hiddink and admitted it was a relief for the Blues to win some silverware again.

“Two years without a trophy, it’s been too long. We’ve seen Man Utd and others winning trophies and it’s good to get it (the winning feeling) back.

“It was a great goal from Lamps to win it. He and Ash (Ashley Cole) have been our best players all season.”

Asked about Hiddink’s final half-time team talk with the score at 1-1, Terry told ITV: “Credit to him. At half-time he kept things calm. There were no rash changes.

“We gave him an engraved watch and a shirt signed by all the lads. He was really touched.”

Hiddink was delighted to lift the trophy at Wembley, which he described as the "Mecca" of football.

“We were very tough and the team has showed after a setback they react always, which is what I like,” he added on ITV1.

“I loved it so much, I enjoyed it so much working with big stars but they knew what it’s all about. They showed in the Premier League and Champions League and today, a lot of character.”

Asked to compare today’s win with his other successes, Hiddink added: “It was one of the biggest, a big achievement, winning in the Mecca of world football, the FA Cup is something you cannot believe.”