Although some Everton fans were calling for their managers head earlier this campaign, Kendall has overseen a massive upturn in fortunes at Goodison this season and those same supporters will now no doubt be delighted that their former midfielder gave his side a pre-Wembley boost by signing a new four-year contract.

A lot can happen in the space of a few months in football and despite Watford being runners-up in Division One a year ago, an 11th place finish this term ensured that Everton, who took seventh spot, went into the game as favourites despite some notable absentees through injury.

Kevin Sheedy, Alan Irvine, Terry Curran and Mark Higgins were all sidelined while Watford were without suspended skipper Wilf Rostron while Steve Sims missed out through injury.

After a 4-4 draw between these two sides when they last met earlier this season, the final was a much more one-sided affair.

Everton survived an early scare when a long Watford throw was headed on by George Reilly to John Barnes but the winger miscued his close-range effort.

Despite dominating possession Everton were unable to carve open many clear-cut openings in the early stages but they made the breakthrough in the 37th minute.

A Kevin Richardson cross was only cleared into the path of Gary Stevens who drove the ball back in to Graeme Sharp who controlled before dispatching a smart finish in off the post.

Six minutes after the restart the game was over as a contest as a Trevor Steven cross was headed in by Evertons very own Rocket Man Andy Gray who beat Steve Sherwood in an aerial challenge.

Although the Scottish striker did not touch the Watford keepers body, the Hornets complained their custodian already had the ball within his grasp.

Manager Taylor said: That goal would have been disallowed 99 times out of 100. Sherwood is upset because he feels he was fouled.

However, Gray retorted: Steve Sherwood never had the ball under control when I went in. He was stretching and I headed the back of the keepers hands. That was enough to send the ball in.

I made contact only with my head and there was no bodily contact.

It all meant that both Elton and Everton were singing the blues come the final whistle.

EVERTON: Neville Southall, Gary Stevens, John Bailey,  Kevin Ratcliffe (cpt), Derek Mountfield, Peter Reid,  Trevor Steven, Adrian Heath, Graeme Sharp, Andy Gray,  Kevin Richardson.

WATFORD: Steve Sherwood, David Bardsley, Neil Price,  Les Taylor (cpt), Steve Terry, Lee Sinnott, Nigel  Callaghan, Mo Johnston, George Reilly, Kenny Jackett,  John Barnes.

REFEREE: John Hunting (Leicester)

ATTENDANCE: 100,000