Cahill revels in yet another trophy to silence the critics

Chelsea claimed their 15th major trophy in 15 years under Roman abramovich and, yes, they are counting.

‘I feel that we have done it again,’ said captain Gary Cahill after lifting the Fa Cup. ‘Whatever people say, we have done it again.

‘Yes, we would have liked the Premier league. It was not to be and Manchester City were different class this year. We would have liked to have been in the Champions league positions and I’m sure we will be back in them.

‘But surely you are judging careers, judging clubs over what they win over periods of years. Form can be up and down but over the longevity of a career you get a proper average of what is going on and I think that the average at this club is very healthy.’

No one mentioned Tottenham’s one league Cup in the same period. Or arsenal’s four Fa Cups and one league title. No one needed to.

even in crisis Chelsea have what it takes to bring home the silver and if Jose Mou- rinho can take any satisfaction from a defeat at Wembley it might be the fact he first instilled this mentality in the dressing room at stamford Bridge.

Cahill is the keeper of the flame, passed down by the generation of John Terry, Frank lampard and Didier Drogba. Mourinho’s second spell and the tempestuous tenure of antonio Conte, forged at Juventus where only first matters, has rekindled the spirit among the players where winning is more important than anything, even harmony.

Perhaps the boardroom philosophy at stamford Bridge plays its part. It is not conventional to routinely sack good managers and create a climate of wild instability but maybe there are times when the undercurrent of fear serves to focus minds.

For the second time in three years, Chelsea will miss the Champions league and they will miss the revenue it brings — more than £50million.

at the same time, they have another trophy in the cabinet, another day for the fans to cherish and their identity as a successful club in terms of the quest for trophies is reinforced. Matchwinner eden hazard, making his 300th Chelsea appearance, arrived from lille when they were european champions. In six years since, he has won five major trophies. Only the big one is missing. Cahill was signed from Bolton six months earlier, in January 2012, just in time to win the Champions league.

Injury ruled him out as Chelsea beat liverpool in the Fa Cup final in the same year and he swallowed defeat by arsenal in last year’s final.

so this one tasted sweet, especially after months when he endured and overcame a battle to regain his place in Conte’s team and with it his place in england’s World Cup squad.

‘I would rather do my talking on the pitch,’ said Cahill. ‘When I was out of the team it was difficult to do that. so to be out there and win is extra special for me.

‘Throughout the season y you take criticism and some- times ti rightly i htl as we’ve ’ fallen f ll short in quite a few competitions, but you keep quiet and take it on the chin, you keep plugging away and all of a sudden reap your rewards.’

ahead of the final, Cahill stood before his team in the Wembley dressing room and delivered a captain’s speech.

‘ You remember these moments and I tried to say that to the lads,’ said the 32-year-old. ‘Just remember back in the day when you didn’t have anything and you were just starting out.

‘ Remember that first appearance and don’t take it for granted. It is a dream but you reap your rewards. You work hard, you have the ability and you have character. We had to win to save the season.’ Chelsea executed Conte’s counter-attacking plan with attacking trio hazard, Cesc Fabregas and Olivier Giroud relieving the pressure as the other eight made a pact not to let Manchester United pass. ‘It feels amazing,’ said Cahill (left). ‘You have to enjoy these moments. Who knows if we will be in another Fa

Cup final?’