So finally big David beat little David after all.

The American Idol 2008 finals were a slugfest between David Cook, 25, and David Archuleta, 17, and if you'd seen the final performance night on Tuesday, you'd have bet your cash on the kid.

Judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul had showered Archuleta -- nicknamed Little Archie -- with constant praise, Cowell constantly undermining Cook's efforts and saying Archie had "delivered the knockout punch" that evening.

Yet Cowell -- among the most disliked men in America -- was clearly in a minority as disgruntled Cook fans took the opportunity to deliver a punch all their own, and made the relatively tougher looking rocker win by 12 million votes.

Archuleta, however, should not fret. He has become that rarity, a recognisable finalist, a fate which is sometimes better than winning. Case in point: Chris Daughtry only made it to 4th place in Season 5, but went on to make a record that went platinum -- while season winner Taylor Hicks was dropped off his record label.

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Rediff Entertainment Bureau