PHIL NEVILLE admits FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea has shown how far Everton remain off regularly challenging for major honours.

David Moyes’s side had held the Londoners to two goalless draws during the Premier League season.

But they were beaten 2-1 by the Stamford Bridge side at Wembley on Saturday, with Louis Saha’s first-minute goal wiped out by strikes from Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard.

Everton have still not won a trophy since lifting the FA Cup when beating Manchester United in 1995.

And although overcoming both United and neighbours Liverpool en route to this season’s final, skipper Neville accepts Everton were given a reminder in the final of the gap that still exists between the Goodison outfit and the top four.

"It definitely showed how far we have to come," he said. "In defining games like the FA Cup final we are still, in terms of reaching the top four, that little bit short or the quality you need.

"You can’t take anything away from the players, they have been immense all season and we have a manager who is desperate to drive this club into the top four.

"The manager has probably learned more in defeat that he has all season, and that’s what happens when you lose. You can learn more about yourself and your team – and we need to get better."

Neville added: "In the dressing room after the game I thought that if you put Victor Anichebe, Yakubu, Phil Jagielka and Mikel Arteta to the squad, I don’t think we’d be too far short at all.