FA Cup final 2009: Everton must use defeat as motivation next season says David Moyes

31 May 2009 09:38
Moyes' side were unable to take silverware back to Goodison Park for the first time in 14 years despite the boost of Louis Saha's record-breaking 25th second strike at Wembley on Saturday. But even that didn't shake Chelsea out of their stride. Guus Hiddink's team methodically worked their way back into the game and equalised through Didier Drogba before Frank Lampard drove home the second half winner. Moyes cut a dignified figure after the match as he insisted Chelsea were deserved winners, but deep down was feeling the pain more than anyone. He knew how significant a Cup Final victory would have been in his attempt to establish Everton as a major threat to the Premier League's big four. But despite having come so close to clinching the trophy, Moyes' desire to establish Everton as a serious threat to the big four is ever-present "I said last year when we got the League Cup semi-final and lost to Chelsea that the next step was to get to a final. Well, we've got to a final beating Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa on the way," he said. "The next bit will hopefully come next year and we'll win a cup. We know it's really hard to win things in England, with so many teams fighting for just a few prizes. "But for us to finish fifth and reach the FA Cup final, then come here and not look out of place was a great achievement. We played Chelsea twice this season and drew and this was only 2-1. "I'm really keen that the players are recognised for how well they have done this season because they have been outstanding." While Moyes rightly takes great heart from his team's achievements, he knows it will take a stronger squad to make the transition from nearly-men to big-game winners. Injuries to Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta, Nigeria forward Ayegbeni Yakubu and defender Phil Jagielka deprived Everton of three key figures for the second half of the season and Moyes concedes that left his side short of the quality needed to live with Chelsea. "If Chelsea had gone into this game without Lampard and Drogba it would have given us a better chance. And we went in with Jagielka, Yakubu and Arteta. They are the equivalent players for us as those Chelsea players," Moyes said. "Players like Drogba, Lampard and (John) Terry are the people who win you cups. That is the level we are at. "We are trying to develop those players. We have one or two who are coming on. I thought Steven Pienaar was outstanding. We just need a few more at that level and then who knows." Meanwhile, Tim Cahill insists his side have no reason to be ashamed after losing to Chelsea. For the 29-year-old it was his second heartbreaking final having already picked up a losers' medal with Millwall in 2004 against Manchester United. But despite the disappointment the Australian has not intention of feeling sorry for himself. "The best thing about this team is we stuck together, no matter what," he said. "We've come so far with such a small squad and I'm just proud to be part of this team and wear this shirt. "I'm just gutted because this was a chance to win some silverware. "But we lose as team and win as a team. We're going to hold our heads up high and take this on the chin. "We've had such a long season with such a small squad. I can't be happier playing with a group of lads like this. I just hope everything stays the same for next season." As Cahill hid his face under his shirt at the full-time whistle, he was consoled by Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink, who grew to admire the midfielder during his spell as Australia coach. Cahill was a key figure as Australia reached the last 16 of the 2006 World Cup under Hiddink and he was keen to share a few words of encouragement with his former player. "I have a special relation with Tim Cahill," Hiddink said. "When I started working with the Australians they didn't have the confidence to qualify for the World Cup. He was one of the key players in that squad. You could use him anywhere. "I was happy he missed the chance he had (in the final) but it was typical Tim to get in there. He is a big player and a big personality and a very beautiful player in the Premier League."

Source: Telegraph