ROBERTO Di Matteo said his Chelsea players gave the perfect answer to critics who dismissed them earlier in the season as a team of has-beens.

The Blues had to survive an Andy Carroll-inspired examination during a torrid closing quarter of Saturday's FA Cup final, but in the end, they were full value for their 2-1 victory over Liverpool.

“Their answer today was on the pitch, “ said the Chelsea boss. “In football, it's always the best way to give those answers.

“I'm very happy for the players. We've had a difficult season and a lot of criticism and I think today the players responded to all the adversity they have faced this season.

“I'm very pleased and satisfied with the performance of our team today because it was a difficult game.

“Our record lately hasn't been the best against them, and we knew that, and we played very well – especially for the majority of the game. We .scored two very nice goals as well.”

Di Matteo added: “When Carroll came on, he caused us some problems with his physical presence, and they started to cross more balls into the box and obviously when they got one goal back, it was always going to be a bit nervy until the end.”

As usual, the Italian did not want to single out any of his players for praise, although he inevitably had to give an almost grudging nod to Petr Cech for the astonishing save that denied Carroll an equaliser and Didier Drogba for suggesting he could have several seasons left in him yet.

“We've got a great keeper in our team and he made a fantastic save, “ Di Matteo said.

“For the second goal, it was a great pass by Lamps as well. You need a team to be able to win the game. Our defence today again was magnificent today to keep Carroll at bay when he came on and also Suarez, who is a very good striker. I thought the overall team performance was excellent.

“Drogba's not 65, he's a top professional so yes, absolutely he has more seasons in him.”

The interim Chelsea boss, who paid tribute to predecessor Andre Villas-Boas for the part he played in the cup run, also acknowledged his own slice of history-making.

“I'm fortunate enough to have been able to play for this club and win the trophy,” he said. “Now, I've been able to lead the team out today and win the trophy as a coach, so it is special. It doesn't happen too often.”

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