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Chelsea are FA Cup winners for a fifth time after a pulsating win at Wembley, coming back from a goal down to beat Everton.

Having fallen inside half a minute, it required goals in either half from Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard to seal the club's first silverware in two years. It was the perfect way to wave goodbye to Guus Hiddink, who has overseen such a fantastic turnaround since his arrival in February.

Celebrations for fans and players will go on long into the night as a long and difficult season ends with a sweet victory, and a fifth Final success from nine attempts.

On the day, a particularly bright and warm spring afternoon, the majority of Hiddink's side picked itself, as it had done for the last few weeks.

His only major decision was whether to employ John Mikel Obi or Michael Ballack alongside Michael Essien in midfield. He opted for the youthful Nigerian, while Nicolas Anelka, the returning Lampard and Malouda provided support to Drogba in attack.

Alex rejoined the backline after sitting out against Sunderland last weekend, at the expense of Branislav Ivanovic who was among the subs.

There were few surprises in the Everton line-up too, as Marouane Fellaini joined Saha up front, while Tim Cahill and captain Phil Neville would offer stern opposition to the Chelsea midfield.

The pre-match rituals were conducted in sunshine that had been in place all morning. The heat would have some bearing on the way the sides approached the game.

Everton kicked off and promptly scored the FA Cup Final's fastest ever goal.

Saha lashed home Fellaini's headed knock down inside 25 seconds, breaking Roberto Di Matteo's record from 1997.

Chelsea's defending had been poor but the goal should never have stood, Steven Pienaar was a yard offside before he crossed into the danger area.

Now Chelsea had real work to do. It had been suggested that Everton would be tight and go in search of a 0-0, but now with an advantage to defend, they would be even less adventurous going forwards.

Already Hiddink was out into his technical area, no doubt this hadn't been the start he had imagined for his final game.

Chelsea's early attacking centred around Malouda, who earned a corner that was easily cleared on four minutes, and was then tripped after seven that brought the game's first caution for Everton full-back Tony Hibbert. Lampard wasted the free-kick.

It was 13 minutes before Chelsea registered a shot, Drogba's persistence partially paying off as he laid back to Essien, but the Ghanaian's left-footed shot was always too high to trouble goalkeeper Tim Howard.

The next time we ventured forwards the results would be better.

The equaliser came on 20 minutes, and who else would it be at Wembley but Drogba? Anelka and Lampard combined to spread the ball left to Malouda, who took a touch and crossed into the Everton area.

Drogba, who had so far been well shackled, slipped between central defenders Joseph Yobo and Joleon Lescott and headed hard into the corner, leaving Howard a mere spectator. It was the Ivorian's fourth goal in as many Wembley visits.

Within three minutes things could have been even better, Lampard finding space 30 yards out but shooting just over the bar.

The tension that had been evident at the Chelsea end had now turned to relief; suddenly the Everton support seemed very quiet indeed.

As predicted Everton had sat deep as Chelsea dominated possession in the first two thirds before being greeted by banks of four and five defending Howard's goal. A second goal would require patience but surely a chance would come, as players in blue began to tire of ball-chasing.

Two minutes before the interval an opportunity did arise for Ashley Cole. Fellaini's interception fell favourably for him and he would have been confident of at least hitting the target after netting in the north east last week. But as he bore down from a narrow angle he snatched at the ball and sliced it well wide.

It was a let-off for Everton and particularly Hibbert, who seemed to switch off with Drogba incapacitated, allowing the England left-back in behind.

An Everton corner was cleared without danger and that was it for the first half. Hiddink's final Chelsea team-talk would probably have urged Lampard to be more involved higher up the field, and for his team-mates to supply Malouda who had enjoyed his afternoon so far up against Hibbert.

Typically, David Moyes replaced his ailing right-back, bringing on Lars Jacobsen to marshal the winger instead. It wouldn't have been a huge surprise.

The second half began in scrappy fashion, neither side keeping the ball well, and Neville entering the book for a scissors-styled lunge on Mikel.

Malouda volleyed high and Saha blazed wide as the game took on a more even complexion in the opening quarter-hour of the second half.

Just before the clock ticked over onto 60 minutes, Anelka had a half-chance, lifting the ball up and over Howard but it was slightly too high.

Then came Hiddink's first action, replacing Essien, ineffective by his own high standards, with Ballack in midfield.

Cahill looked to have done himself some damage unleashing a powerful drive straight at Cech, and Mikel became the first Chelsea man booked in a frantic couple of minutes. The game was just starting to open up.

From a free-kick Everton worked the ball wide to Leighton Baines, whose whipped cross picked out Saha in a similar position to where Drogba had scored. Fortunately for Chelsea he headed up and over when he should have tested Cech.

At the other end Malouda skipped past Jacobsen and crossed hard to the near post, where Drogba inadvertently directed the ball past the near post with his chest.

By now we were into the final 20 minutes and still no nearer to finding a winner.

Enter Frank Lampard.

For one normally so central to Chelsea's attacking play, the midfielder had had a very quiet game as he went in search of his 20th goal of the season, and his 100th in five.

When the chance came, on his left foot 25 yards from goal, there was only one outcome. He turned Neville, and after regaining his composure fired hard past Howard, the ball's sheer pace taking it beyond the American's grasp.

His celebration, to run around the corner flag, was in homage to his dad's goal routine after netting for West Ham at the semi-final stage in 1980.

Chelsea were in front with 19 minutes left to defend the lead. It should have been beyond doubt with 15 to go.

Drogba switched to Cole, whose touch and pass inside to Lampard were immaculate. The midfielder picked out Malouda's run and with time and space he could wrap it up, but instead curled over.

Four minutes later Malouda thought he had scored when his powerful effort bounced down off the crossbar towards the line. Drogba appealed, but the game went on, the linesman deciding the ball hadn't crossed. Replays suggested that it had.

It was the Toffees who needed to attack, but having spent so long trying to get the ball, they found it difficult to keep when it came their way, let alone work towards the Chelsea area.

In the final minute of normal time Cahill shot desperately from 30 yards plus, but Cech was unconcerned as it flew wide.

Four minutes of added time were indicated but still Chelsea were in charge. Anelka could have sealed the win but against lifted the ball over the bar, anda fter that there was just time for ref Howard Webb to blow the whistle and signal our fifth FA Cup success, and second in three years.

Cue the celebrations.

Well done lads.

By Andy Jones

Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Bosingwa, Alex, Terry (c), A Cole; Essien (Ballack 60), Mikel, Lampard; Anelka, Malouda, Drogba.

Goals Drogba 20, Lampard 71

Booked Mikel 62, Lampard 83

Everton (4-4-1-1): Howard; Hibbert (Jacobsen h-t), Yobo, Lescott, Baines; Osman (Gosling 82), Neville (c), Cahill, Pienaar; Fellaini; Saha (Vaughan 76).

Goals Saha 1

Booked Hibbert 7, Neville 47, Baines 90+3

You can watch the game again in full on Chelsea TV from 6pm on Sunday, with highlights available on Chelsea Plus.

Chelsea ended the Premier League season with a win at Sunderland thanks to goals from Golden Boot winner Nicolas Anelka, Salomon Kalou and Ashley Cole.

We didn't have it all our own way on a bright day in the north east, but never looked like being beaten against a Sunderland side still playing to secure their survival.

An uneventful first half was eclipsed by an entertaining second that contained five goals. After a minute Anelka fired home his 19th league strike of the season from 30 yards to tie up the Golden Boot before Kieran Richardson equalised shortly afterwards.

The points were made secure as sub Kalou and Cole scored in the closing stages before Kenwyne Jones claimed a late consolation.

Guus Hiddink, making his final Chelsea selection in the Premier League, wouldn't have won many friends on Wearside with his strong selection. He did however opt to rest Frank Lampard and Alex, who were replaced with Juliano Belletti and Branislav Ivanovic.

Nicolas Anelka was looking for a goal that would seal the Golden Boot, and would do so from the right flank, possibly buoyed by the knowledge that Cristiano Ronaldo would not be figuring for Manchester United at Hull, Sunderland's relegation rivals.

Looking for the point that would guarantee safety, Ricky Sbragia picked three forwards on the bench, but only one on the pitch, Kenwyne Jones starting as the lone target man.

In the early exchanges he cut an isolated figure, while his opposite number Drogba chipped onto the roof of the home net and then volleyed viciously into goalkeeper Marton Fulop's fists.

That was the only slightly memorable action of the opening 20 minutes, though Juliano Belletti may struggle to forget the challenge that forced him off, making him a possible doubt for FA Cup Final duty in six days' time.

Driven on by their loud support, Sunderland forced a hesitant Petr Cech into action 25 minutes in. Grant Leadbitter crossed into the corridor of uncertainty around the six-yard line, inches beyond Jones's head. The Chelsea goalkeeper came for the cross but fumbled, though fortunately Ivanovic was on hand to hook the ball clear.

The Serb was also on hand a couple of minutes later to head away Phil Bardsley's cross after the full-back had escaped Malouda's attentions.

At the other end Ashley Cole showed quick feet to create room for a cross, picking out Drogba at the far post, but the Ivorian's header was tame and wide.

A minute later Cole was booked after his legs tangled with Kieran Richardson's while Sunderland broke.

Perhaps the standout moment of the first half arrived after 37 minutes as cheers broke out around the Stadium of Light. News had arrived that Aston Villa were in front against Newcastle. It was certainly big news, but perhaps also indicative of the lack of noteworthy action here.

Before half-time Malouda drove right-footed straight at Fulop and then the keeper saved well from Drogba, but there was no breakthrough. Neither manager looked overly concerned.

The second half began very differently as Anelka sealed his own personal triumph.

Picking up the ball 40 yards from goal, he strode forward and unleashed the truest and straightest of shots that flew into Fulop's far top corner. It was simply unstoppable, and more than deserving of the Golden Boot that was now his.

Sunderland clearly weren't feeling safe yet though and responded quickly. Having fallen behind after a minute of the second half, they were level within another six.

A deep cross from the left evaded Cech's reach and fell to the feet of Richardson, who sidestepped a Chelsea lunge before firing low between blue-shirted defenders to equalise.

With 20 minutes left they should have been in front when Steed Malbranque ran from deep inside his own half past three Chelsea players before playing a one-two and shooting low. Cech saved well from the Frenchman and Michael Ballack cleared it behind.

Back on the attack Chelsea could have scored when Salomon Kalou, on for Michael Essien squared to Malouda 25 yards from goal. The winger's shot was well struck but deflected high over the crossbar.

When Kalou next picked up possession, the results were equally as impressive as Anelka's before him. This time the shot was aimed towards the near post where it caught Fulop unaware, and sneaked inside the upright to put Chelsea back in front, another nice strike.

Aware they were still not out of trouble Sunderland had to fight back. Cech had to save low at his near post from Bardsley, who then failed to get back into position allowing Anelka to test Fulop once again.

The keeper saved but he would soon be picking the ball out of the net. Malouda went through and was blocked by the keeper, but the ball fell loose to Ashley Cole, without a goal this season, who calmly slotted home with his weaker right foot.

Game over with five minutes left. Now Sunderland fans would have to hope Hull and Newcastle both stayed behind in their respective fixtures.

Right on 90 minutes Jones halved the deficit for the Black Cats, getting his header in from close range before Cech arrived.

The cross had come in from the Sunderland right, and Jones had lost his marker, something that needs to be addressed before Everton come to London next week.

The Stadium of Light's biggest cheer of the afternoon came after the final whistle with confirmation Newcastle had slipped into the second tier, and the Mackems had survived. Middlesbrough will also join them.

For Chelsea, the Cup Final is still six days away. Until then Blues fans can be pleased with a winning end to the league season and the prospect of further Champions League competition next season, third place already secured before this afternoon.

The addition of some silverware at Wembley will be very welcome indeed, and with Lampard to return in search of his 20th goal of the season, we have every reason to be confident.

By Andy Jones

Sunderland (4-5-1): Fulop; Bardsley, Davenport, Ferdinand, Collins; Malbranque (Healy 78), Whitehead (c), Tainio (Reid 64), Richardson (Murphy 85), Leadbitter; Jones.

Goal Richardson 52

Booked Bardsley 39

Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry (c), A Cole; Essien (Kalou 64), Mikel (Mancienne 77), Belletti (Ballack 26); Anelka, Drogba, Malouda.

Goals Anelka 46, Kalou 73, A Cole 85

Booked A Cole 33

Florent Malouda's sixth league goal of the season and Nicolas Anelka's 18^th made it a good afternoon on the pitch as Stamford Bridge said farewell to Guus Hiddink.

'Roman, Roman, sign him up,' sang the crowd during the second-half, the watching owner responding with a big smile and laugh. 'Guus Hiddink, we want him to stay,' then took over as the song of the game.

At the final whistle the coach took the mic and thanked everyone, the players doing similar on a lap of appreciation. Hiddink exited through a guard of honour from the team. Roy Bentley had also shown nimble feet in front of the Matthew Harding End on the occasion of the 85th birthday for our original trophy-winning captain.

Before that however it was the 11 players who were unchanged from the team that had begun the win at Arsenal who comfortably dealt with Blackburn.

Malouda's goal was as early as the fourth minute. Anelka waited until the second half to fire in the goal that puts him neck-and-neck with Cristiano Ronaldo in the race for the Golden Boot with one match to play.

Anelka was the outstanding player all-round as he grows into his role as a mobile wide attacker, and could easily have had two more to add to the 18.

The Blues will surely have a tougher game than this one at Wembley in a fortnight, but look in good form as the Cup Final approaches.

Blackburn's Pedersen got a shot in on target in the first minute of this game - straight at Cech with Chelsea's first attempt coming two minutes further on.

That was a counter-attack from a Cech throw, Malouda from the left crossing and Lampard shooting for what looked every inch goal number 20 for him this season, but centre-back Givet slid across and blocked.

Just a minute later Chelsea did find the net, again counter-attacking with speedy simplicity. It was Bosingwa who initially surged forward, playing a pass out wide to Anelka. The cross was perfect for Malouda to head on the run past Robinson. It was a tremendous finish to a very good move.

Anelka himself should have drawn level with Cristiano Ronaldo on 18 league goals for the season but his side-foot shot when picked out by Cole was straight at the keeper. That was with nine minutes gone.

Lampard, with a great sliding block, prevented Grella getting a shot away from the edge of the box and Samba volleyed a difficult chance wide as Blackburn briefly rallied - but then Chelsea were back up the other end for Lampard to shoot against the bar from 15 yards out, Anelka again the supply line.

Ashley Cole was the next to receive a ball inside the box from the Frenchman, this time from the left. The full-back's connection was lacking and Robinson saved.

Blackburn, with five in midfield and converted centre-back Samba on his own up front were showing limited ambition to get forward but Chelsea were still finding space as we pushed on.

Bosingwa became the game's first booking for a dive just outside the area on 26 minutes and a minute later it took a hack up, up and away from under the crossbar by Nelsen to prevent a Malouda second goal. He had proved more determined to get to a bouncing ball than full-back Andrews and lobbed the keeper.

Pedersen gave Cech some rare activity with a well-struck shot and then on 33 minutes came the most painful moment of the game - Michael Essien the recipient of a full set of Grella's studs in the groin region.

Referee Rob Styles had turned to follow the action and missed the contact, otherwise the midfielder surely would not have escaped punishment for such a high challenge.

A minute before the break Blackburn lost their captain Nelsen to injury. Samba, who had missed a good header chance earlier reverted to his normal defensive role but instead of bringing on Benni McCarthy to play up front, Sam Allardyce instead opted to move Pedersen there and bring substitute Doran into midfield.

At half-time Rovers' other starting centre-back changed too - Givet replaced by Khizanishvili.

If the decision not to bring McCarthy on until later in the half was a sign of a conservative approach by the visitors, nothing that happened in a one-sided second-half did anything to contradict it.

On 52 minutes Lampard turned and crossed inside the area but a stretching Malouda could only turn the ball back into Robinson's arms.

Four minutes later Cole was calling for a penalty for a tug back by Andrews as the Chelsea man was racing to reach a far-post cross. It looked a very good shout.

He might have been denied but there was no stopping Anelka finding the net on 58 minutes when his crisp low shot found the bottom corner. Drogba had teed the chance up after Malouda had missed an Ashley Cole cross.

Anelka returned the complement to Drogba later in the game but from a similar position the shot flew over. It was not one of the Ivorian's better games in recent months.

Before that, the sub-plot of Lampard's 20^th goal search had continued when Robinson did well to dispossess the Chelsea vice-captain as he attempted to take the ball round the keeper.

Anelka rolled a 72^nd chance a yard wide after a lightning break in which Drogba was also involved.

Tugay drew a save from Cech with a well-struck volley but at no point in the second half did Blackburn genuinely look like finding the net. Terry and Alex once again put in high class performances.

Essien from 25 yards drew a diving save from Robinson late on and then in the very last minute the former England keeper saved a tight-angled drive from Malouda and then a follow-up from Anelka.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Bosingwa, Alex, Terry (c), A Cole; Mikel, Essien; Anelka, Lampard, Malouda; Drogba.
Scorers Malouda 3, Anelka 58.
Booked Bosingwa 26

Blackburn (4-5-1): Robinson; Andrews, Nelsen (c) (Doran 44), Givet (Khizanishvili h-t), Warnock; Diouf, Tugay, Grella,Villanueva, Pedersen (McCarthy 65); Samba.
Booked Grella 63, Khizanishvili 83.

Watch the full 90 minutes on Chelsea TV from midnight.

A win that equals our biggest in the league away to Arsenal has guaranteed automatic Champions League qualification for next season.

In a London derby with plenty of chances at both ends, it was the Blues who were far more ruthless, an Alex header followed by Anelka's 17^th in the league this season making it 2-0 by the break.

Arsenal gave us the third shortly after the interval through an own-goal and then put pressure on by scoring at the correct end. However Florent Malouda completed the four-goal haul shortly before the end.

It may not have healed the wounds after the Champions League heartbreak, but it was still a very enjoyable Sunday afternoon in north London.                                               

Drogba was selected from the start in a line-up with just one change from the Barcelona game. That was Mikel in for Ballack.

There was no Arshavin for Arsenal, the Russian reported as ill on Saturday, and Manuel Almunia had an ankle injury so Fabianski was in goal, his dodgy display in the semi-final at Wembley still fresh in the memory.

Within 20 seconds Arsenal put the Chelsea goal under pressure, the direct running of Walcott the cause. When the ball broke back his way after a tackle, he shot well over.

It then needed Cech to stand strong at the near post to keep out Walcott when the winger burst behind the Chelsea defence on the right and shot from an angle.

Chelsea's start to the game had been quiet but Drogba began to put his side on the front foot by pressuring Silvestre in to some hurried defending. Then Lampard shot over from the edge of the area.

However Arsenal came back and there was a huge let-off when Diaby sliced wide when it was easier to score after Arsenal had sliced through the middle of our defence with some one-touch passing.

Walcott volleyed a couple of yards wide after Diaby had advanced down an open left flank and crossed. Arsenal's 4-1-4-1 shape meant they were not outnumbered in midfield in this meeting and the Blues were looking stretched at the back too often for comfort.

Not that we didn't have the means to open the home side up as well, as Cole demonstrated on 20 minutes as he took a return pass, skipped beyond Sagna and laid the ball across to Drogba. The shot was on-target but lacked the power to beat covering defender Silvestre. The best Blues chance yet.

Arsenal wastefulness continued when Song missed from close range following a scramble when Bosingwa skied a clearance. They would pay for it.

Fabergas was booked by referee Phil Dowd for suggesting a dive when whistled up for a foul on Drogba. The punishment didn't end there. Drogba himself swung the free-kick over and Alex, scorer of famous headed goal for PSV that knocked Arsenal out of Europe, repeated the feat with a header that went in off the underside of the crossbar.

Twenty-eight minutes had passed and we were ahead for the first time in this stadium.

'Going home in a minute,' sang the Chelsea fans in acknowledgement of the efficient ground evacuation here against Man United.

Fabianski made a hash of coming for a corner soon after but Arsenal escaped, as did their captain when already-carded Fabregas was only lectured after what looked a bookable foul on Malouda. Our opponents could so easily have been down to 10 men.

Cole hacked away from our own goal-line after Van Persie backheeled a cross towards the target after one quick counter-attack.

A sunny afternoon in north London became even brighter 38 minutes in when Anelka scored one of his best goals since arriving at Chelsea. Receiving the ball midway inside the Chelsea half, he drifted into space and smashed an outswinging shot from 25 yards that Fabianski, lacking spring in his dive, comprehensively failed to keep out.

The Blues really should have put the game to bed in stoppage time at the end of the half when Essien and Malouda spread their backline apart but Anelka shot straight at the keeper's legs. Even so, our 2-0 lead was sufficient for home support booing as the teams headed down the tunnel.

It took just three minutes of the second half for that third goal to be added. Cole, enjoying a fabulous game in the face of the inevitable jeers, once again raced away down his flank onto a ball over the top. He tried to pick out Drogba but the centre-forward was not needed. Touré in trying to cut the cross out turned it inside the post.

Van Persie was allowed a run on goal soon after when clearly offside (sound familiar?) but checking onto his left, his shot was pushed wide by Cech, another player enjoying a strong game.

Walcott yet again wasted a very presentable chance on 57 minutes when he blasted across the goal with team-mates waiting in the middle.

Bendtner was the first substitute used in the game, coming on for Diaby and playing in the same wide-left role as the man withdrawn. It didn't stop Chelsea from continuing to find spaces in and around their area and the next chance was fashioned by our two full-backs, Cole crossing and Bosingwa volleying over with his right. 

Arsenal pulled their goal back on 69 minutes, shortly after making a double substitution, when Sagna crossed and Bendtner climbed above the defence to head home.

Worryingly, the Dane almost repeated the trick five minutes later from another Sagna cross as he beat Bosingwa in the air - but this time Cech saved.

Hiddink reacted, bringing on Ivanovic for Bosingwa to increase aerial power in the area where Bendtner was operating.

Lampard was then denied a clear run on goal after a clever Drogba chip over the top by an incorrect offside flag. There were just under 10 minutes remaining and goals at either end looked more than possible.

It took fantastic reactions from Cech to keep out a Silvestre shot from close range after a prolonged scramble. Adebayor then failed to win a penalty with a blatant dive when challenged by Cech. The striker was not booked.

The fourth Chelsea goal came with four minutes of normal time remaining, Malouda initially shooting against Fabianski's legs when sent through by a brilliant Lampard flick. There was no need for him to despair.

The ball came out to Anelka whose shot from out wide smashed onto the near post and fell for Malouda to turn in.

Arsenal's 21-game unbeaten league run had come to an end in emphatic style. The Chelsea players celebrated in the corner where our supporters were housed, with Didier Drogba receiving his own big ovation.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Bosingwa (Ivanovic 76), Alex, Terry (c), A Cole; Mikel, Essien; Anelka, Lampard, Malouda (Ballack 88); Drogba.
Scorers Alex 28, Anelka 38, Touré o.g 48, Malouda 84.

Arsenal (4-1-4-1): Fabianski; Sagna, Touré, Silvestre, Gibbs; Song (Denilson 67); Walcott (Adebayor 67), Fàbregas (c), Nasri, Diaby (Bendtner 59); Van Persie.
Scorer Bendtner 70.
Booked Fabregas 26

Watch the full 90 minutes on Chelsea TV from midnight.