"In the second we came out and for 15 to 20 minutes before they scored their second we were back to our old ways.

"Louis Saha had a great chance to get another, but big games are won with small details, and after that they showed their quality and probably should have got another. So the best team won, we can’t take anything away from Chelsea .

"When I went up those steps I just felt empty. It was probably the worst feeling of my career. In terms of major finals that’s the first I have lost when I have been in the 16 - this isn’t a place to come and lose.

"You feel as if you’ve let everyone down, your family, friends, everyone. I saw my kids at the end and feel a failure. You have to make sure that’s the feeling which is used as a spur next time."

Tony Hibbert was substituted at half-time after suffering a torrid first half against Chelsea ’s left flank pairing of Florent Malouda and Ashley Cole.

But Neville revealed: "To be honest the manager made the change at half time because Hibbo was on a booking and a lot of play was coming down their left hand side.

"Hibbo is someone you’d want in the trenches with you.

"He’s a local lad, an Evertonian and someone who wears his heart on his sleeve.

"We’re all disappointed in that dressing room, not just him."

Neville added: "It’s probably the fans I feel for more than anyone though. They have driven back up the M6 fiercely proud of the team but extremely disappointed.

"I can assure them we will be coming back next season to give them a treat. If any team deserved to be in an FA Cup final it was us, after playing Liverpool, Villa, Boro and United to get here."

Everton chairman and owner Bill Kenwright addressed the players after the game, and Neville said: "He’s a proud Evertonian and just said ‘keep your chin up, keep your head held high, you’ve done us all proud – and I’ll see you in the bar later!’"