Chelsea home. What was the score? Lost 0-1 Up early and in the car to drive 30 miles to a bar showing the game live. The bar we have found in Tampa has free wifi so what the hell, I've brought my laptop. Chicago Addick's videprinter starts now....

00.00: Game kicks off in bright sunshine as clouds cover Tampa.
10mins: Even start with Addicks holding their own.
12mins. Order breakfast, a mate has shepherds pie. Good luck.
18mins: GOAL, Lampard scores typical goal, frustrating to think we had the ball twice in possession before Faye loses it.
21mins: Looking a bit shaky at the back, particulary Sankofa who is getting no support from Rommedahl.
22mins: El Khak has a strong cross-cum more of a shot well saved by Cech.
25mins: More coffee.
28mins: One of El Khak's free kick saved by Cech.
35mins: Bent galantly running around on his own up front without any support.
38mins: Pards and Parky in deep conversation on the sidelines.
40mins: Co-commentator Pat Nevin helpfully announces that Pardew needs to change tactics if we are going to win the game.
45+1min: Lampard has free-kick palmed away by Carson.
45+2mins: We go in 1-0 down. West Ham are losing and Matthew Upson has been carried off. Musn't laugh!
46mins: Pat Nevin very happy with himself as JFH comes on for Romm. Now 4-4-2.
50mins: Crowd start to rally behind Addicks.
53mins: It's sloppy but they're working hard.
55mins: Thomas tries to beat Carvalho 9 times before losing out to a goal kick.
57mins: Addicks up tempo, work rate there is spades but quality not.
63mins: Great noise from the home fans as we exert some pressure.
67mins: Excellent move ends with Faye bursting into the box. Cech saves well. It was our best chance of the game.
68mins: Wigan take lead.
73mins: Faye through and shoots straight at Cech, another great chance. Come on!
75mins: Kalou hits outside of the upright.
77mins: Cock up by Thatcher, who then redeems himself in the penalty box against Drogba.
78mins: It's alright everyone, Lisbie's on for Holland.
78mins: Save by Carson, out for a corner.
80mins: Come on you reds. Last 10.
82mins: Hasselbaink wastes a good free-kick opportunity.
86mins: Great save by Carson keeps us in it. Do you think Liverpool will notice if we don't give him back?
90mins: 3 extra minutes
90+2mins: Carvalho lies down while clock ticks.
93mins: West Ham lose, so do we. Final score 0-1.

It wasn't a game I expected anything from but the continuing fighting spirit was there to see. Our best chances fell to Faye but Cech was equal to them. We know that starting XI lacks quality but Pards has got them working really hard. There was loud and appreciative backing from the home fans and with Watford, Sheff Utd and West Ham each losing to lesser opposition, we are still in there fighting. Shame about Wigan, oh and Matthew Upson....

Opinions of those who were at The Valley: BBC Sport; ESPN; Guardian; cafc.co.uk; All Quiet; Frankie Valley; Blue Champions (Chelsea blog)
Super Al: "Ultimately our destiny is in our own hands; we need to get 38 or 39 points. And we've sent out a message today that we will fight to the very end."  ¶ 13:55