There are now a substantial bunch of talented individuals in Everton’s squad and they perform even greater as a unit but after ultimately being left second best by Chelsea, a cup is still required.

After seeing their dreams shattered, Everton’s players – and significant sections of their supporters too compared to other cup finals when the losing section is virtually empty by the time the victors get their hands on the trophy – stayed behind to watch John Terry lift the Cup.

As the Londoners returned down the Wembley steps and back on to the turf, man for man, they were congratulated by the Everton squad.

Just what were the reasons for this seemingly masochistic act?

Manager Moyes said: “It was a sporting gesture from Phil Neville as captain of the team and I felt it was right too. They were worthy winners. It’s been a long season but on the day they deserved to win it.”

But in watching Chelsea celebrate winning the Cup, seeing the joy on their faces, just might be the added spur Everton’s already determined bunch of players need to go on and break their trophy duck next season.

Chelsea were always the red hot favourites with the bookmakers yet there was a real feeling within Everton’s camp that this was their year and their time.

Two of the ‘big four’, neighbours Liverpool and Manchester United – beaten in an FA Cup semi-final for the first time in Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign – had been vanquished en route to Everton’s first FA Cup Final in 14 years and although another ‘first’ would have to be achieved in defeating Chelsea for the first time in Moyes’s reign, all the reports coming out of Finch Farm last week suggested the players were absolutely ready for what they believed was their day of destiny.

That day will now have to wait but there’s no reason why it can’t be far away. The financial structure of the Premier League currently looks to have created a glass ceiling on any imminent title aspirations but a cup either at home or abroad in the revamped Europa League must continue to be a priority in satisfying almost an entire generation of Evertonians’ hopes.

The trouble for Moyes, Everton and indeed the rest of the Premier League is the fact that the four best teams in this country are also four of the best teams in European football and unless you get ‘fluke’ seasons like last year when Portsmouth and Cardiff got to the FA Cup Final, you’ve got to make your way past them to secure silverware.