AS far as Wembley send-offs go, this was just about perfect. An emphatic victory, the end of Louis Saha’s goal drought and most crucially of all a clean bill of health.

David Moyes had demanded that his players sign off at Goodison in style and they delivered with aplomb.

The only spare seats during the post-match lap of honour on Saturday were in the away end as supporters stayed to pay tribute to the Herculean efforts of Everton this season.

It was a celebration of triumph in the face of adversity.

Fifth place is now Everton’s to lose at Fulham on the final day and if they can stay there that would be a remarkable achievement considering David Moyes’ lengthy casualty list.

Of course if everything goes to plan there will be another lap of honour later this month under Wembley’s famous arch.

And Everton will travel to the capital with genuine belief they can overcome Chelsea and end the club’s 14-year wait for silverware.

Much has been made about Moyes’s men’s spirit and resilience pulling them through this season.

Undoubtedly they are a closely knit unit who want to play for each other but many overlook the fact they also boast real quality.

Steven Pienaar is in the form of his life and the South African midfielder produced another virtuoso display down the left flank on Saturday. It was his touch of class which created the opening for Saha to kill off the contest late on.

The dismissal of James Tomkins for tripping Tim Cahill in the box just before the break proved to be the afternoon’s pivotal moment.

But such was Everton’s superiority that even without a numerical advantage it’s likely they would have come out on top.

The Hammers, whose hopes of European football next season were dashed by the defeat, must be sick of the sight of Saha.

The Frenchman scored twice in Everton’ 3-1 win at Upton Park back in November and he repeated the trick on Saturday to stake a claim for a Cup final starting spot.

Saha hadn’t found the net since he nodded home the winner in the FA Cup quarter-final against Middlesbrough back in March but he took out his frustration on Gianfranco Zola’s side.