Di Matteo: Players have answered critics

Roberto di Matteo claimed his Chelsea old guard delivered the perfect response to their critics with their 2-1 FA Cup final triumph over Liverpool - but flat-batted speculation over his own future on yet another good day for the Blues at Wembley.

Goals from Ramires and Didier Drogba proved enough to repel Liverpool's late rally, with Petr Cech making an incredible save to deny substitute Andy Carroll, who had already pulled the Merseyside outfit back into the game.

Inspired defensive performances from John Terry and Ashley Cole also helped Chelsea on their way to a fourth FA Cup success in six years, and Di Matteo said: "We've had a difficult season and a lot of criticism... The answer was today on the pitch. The football is always the best way to deliver the answer."

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