The contest was less than half a minute old when Louis Saha
found the net for the Merseysiders.
It was to be a high point for Everton though as Didier Drogba
levelled before Frank Lampard's 20-yard strike just evaded the
despairing dive of Tim Howard 18 minutes from time.
Apart from allowing Ashley Cole to become the first player since
the 19th century to collect five winners' medals, the victory,
Chelsea's second in three years at the new Wembley, is a reminder
of the stability Hiddink has brought to Stamford Bridge since
replacing the hapless Luiz Felipe Scolari in February.
And if, as expected, Carlo Ancelotti is confirmed as permanent
boss when Hiddink returns to his full-time job with Russia, the
Italian has been given a pretty successful man to follow.
After a pair of tepid semi-finals, the Wembley authorities
changed the pitch and their groundsman in the hope of getting
something better in place for their showpiece occasion. The reward
came after exactly 25 seconds.
If there is a more unlucky player in world football at the
moment than Saha, he must get some pretty bad fortune.
During a brief period on loan at Newcastle much earlier in his
career, Saha was overlooked for one FA Cup final. Of the three he
sat out at Manchester United, he was fit for just one - in 2004,
but he was ineligible.
In addition to that, a booking during a brief substitute
appearance in the World Cup semi-final in Germany three years ago
meant he was suspended for France's eventual defeat by Italy.
So there was a fair bit of venom in his left foot when Marouane
Fellaini guided Michael Essien's weak clearance into the former
Manchester United man's path.
Saha met the ball perfectly, leaving Petr Cech with not a hope
of keeping it out.
The Everton supporters, far more noisy than their Chelsea
counterparts anyway, erupted in joy, Peter Reid among them, daring
to believe this year, as in their last appearance 14 seasons ago,
they would leave Wembley as winners.
If there is a downside to scoring quite so early, it is the
length of time left to hang on.
Everton did try to keep pushing forward. It was just that they
were not allowed to as Chelsea shook off that massive initial
disappointment and slowly but purposefully turned the screw.
Tony Hibbert is what is known in the trade as an honest
professional. Dedicated to his task, what he lacks in ability, he
tries to make up for in effort.
Sometimes though, it is not enough.
Booked after eight minutes for a needless ankle tap on Malouda,
he was then repeatedly exposed by the French wide-man, a clear case
of Chelsea targeting an individual within opposition ranks.
More than any other player, Malouda has benefited from working
with Hiddink and the Dutchman's departure for Moscow will be keenly
felt by the former Lyon man, acquired at the not inconsiderable
cost of £13.5million by Jose Mourinho.
And, assisted by Cole, the pair caused mayhem down the Everton
right virtually at will.
Malouda delivered the cross that invited Drogba's powerful
finish for the Chelsea equaliser, Cole had the angled drive that
should have put them in front.
Before that Malouda had just fired over and with Lampard's
dipping effort virtually skimming the Everton crossbar, it was not
really a surprise when David Moyes introduced Lars Jacobsen at the
break.
The move worked to the extent Chelsea were forced to go infield
to make ground, Nicolas Anelka going mightily close with a deft
lob.
However, in stemming such an obvious flow of attacks on their
goal, Everton found it easier to relieve the pressure and apply
some of their own.
Saha went close with virtually their first decent opening since
he scored and spirits started to rise again among the Toffees
faithful. How quickly they were crushed.
After collecting Anelka's lay-off, Lampard was assisted by a
slight slip as he checked inside Phil Neville - allowing him a
couple of extra seconds to get a sight of Everton's goal and he
duly drilled home from 20 yards.
Chelsea were twice controversially denied a third, first when
referee Howard Webb decided Malouda's effort had not crossed the
line after crashing back off the bar when TV replays showed it had,
then when the official booked Lampard for diving when Stephen
Pienaar had stuck out a leg for him to fall over.
It did not matter. Hiddink richly deserved to wave goodbye with
a glint of silverware in his eye.
Hiddink Deserve it! 