As they did in the Premier League, Chelsea underachieved but still managed to bring home the hardware. This was a sloppy, nervy game from both sides. I can understand why underdog Pompey was anxious, but Chelsea -- league champs, world class players up and down the pitch, elite manager -- should've come out like assassins. Instead, they dropped trou in front of goal multiple times. Sure, they had some bad luck on a few of their misses, but they also whiffed on the easy ones, too. Everything seemed to turn when Chelsea's Belletti failed to slide in for the ball and clumsily clattered the Portsmouth attacker in the box -- penalty for Pompey! Sadly for them, nerves go the better of Kevin Prince Boateng. He scuffed the top of the ball and it dribble-rolled into Cech. About 3 minutes later, Drogba placed a perfect free kick at the base of the far post and it bounced in for the only goal of the game. With just a few minutes to go, Lampard drew a penalty to seal the win... only he couldn't even put the shot on target. It was a complete choke. What I can't figure out was why. Chelsea were winning, the game was almost over -- this should've been a chance to blast a celebratory ball home. Instead, every England fan immediately started fretting about penalties in the World Cup. Lots of chokers on that team from the spot... Chelsea did the double, and hats should be tipped to them. But this was far from their finest performance. I guess being able to win despite underachieving is one way to show your greatness....

0-0, and I have to say one of the most exciting 0-0s I've seen. Chelsea's smacked the frame 5 times -- 5 times! One of those went halfway across the line before bouncing out. Kalou missed point blank from a yard out with an empty goal in front of him. Portsmouth's Mokoena blocked two Drogba lasers in succession. And Portsmouth's even had a couple close chances themselves, forcing Cech into one great save. David James looks amazing in goal for Portsmouth -- great reflexes, top notch instincts, leadership from the back. This will certainly buy him a few more looks from good clubs; maybe he's not heading off into the twilight yet... Chelsea look like they'll eventually get on the board, and if they score first, one gets the sense that'll knock the wind out of Pompey. The underdogs' best hope is to continue to press on the counter and try to steal a surprise lead. If they bang one home before the Blues, the Chelsea irritation could become counter-productive anger. Follow all the action on Twitter with @Pandagoal now!

I hate all the cliches for a team which goes on a signing spree - "splashes the cash" is worst of all - but Pompey, well, has splashed the cash, picking up Michael Brown, Kevin-Prince "Don't call me George, like you almost did, Auguste" Boateng, and Jamie O'Hara (on loan from Spurs), all in the same day. Apparently asking nicely brings results. Despite all that, there's a good chance this will be the only mention of Portsmouth all year on this blog, so enjoy it, kids. Update: Dear lord. Ask and you shall receive.