Fulham hosted Sheffield United on Tuesday evening, hoping to avoid an early cup upset against League One opposition - having been given a welcome distraction from league football, as they'd failed to win any of their first four Championship fixtures this term.
They did just that too with a comfortable 3-0 victory on the night, but it wasn't without a few scares at Craven Cottage. Alex Kačanklić was bright from the start, as the 24-year-old was constantly probing the Blades backline with Moussa Dembele and Ross McCormack both eager to get themselves on the scoresheet early on.
Early chances for both sides
Ryan Tunnicliffe saw his effort crash off the crossbar after the loose ball fell for the central midfielder, minutes before goalkeeper Andy Lonergan was forced into a low stop from Marc McNulty to keep the scores goal-less.
A few half-opportunities for either side before the interval were not enough to break the deadlock, and the visitors especially were defending neatly with plenty of Fulham supporters getting disgruntled that their team were unable to test George Long significantly in goal.
No alterations as scores stay level
As the second-half began, neither team made any alterations - but it was evident that Fulham were in the ascendancy. They got their reward for some tireless attacking pressure on the hour mark, as the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty after a needless tug-back on McCormack as he attempted an acrobatic effort in the area.
The 29-year-old, who joined the west Londoners last summer for £11million pounds, made no mistake from twelve yards to open the scoring - sending Long the wrong way in the process with his spot-kick.
Hosts take full advantage of mistakes to punish Blades
Kačanklić was replaced in a like-for-like change for Tom Cairney soon after the opener. Dembele, who was a constant threat going forward, was yet to get his comeuppance for an energetic display - but McCormack doubled his tally for the evening at the end of a well-worked move.
Build-up play on the edge of the area saw Ben Pringle feed the ball across to McCormack, who struck across goal and watched with delight as his effort flashed into the corner of the net. Dembele continued to be a livewire, as he'd done literally everything apart from score, but two moments of madness in quick succession from the visitors put a damper on proceedings late on.
First, a rather nasty-looking tackle by substitute Jose Baxter could have quite easily caused some painful damage to Cairney - as the midfielder weaved past him in the centre of the park. The referee had no choice but to send the former Everton youngster off, for a rather dangerous challenge.
Then, it went from bad to worse just three minutes later. Kieran Wallace, who gave away the spot-kick leading up to Fulham's opener, was given his marching orders after a cynical tackle to dispossess Dembele of the ball as he raced forward with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Long made an acrobatic diving stop to deny McCormack from getting his hat-trick, but there was just enough time for Dembele to grab a much-deserved goal for himself in stoppage time with a neatly-taken finish from close range.
In a match that could have gone either way, the Cottagers got a much-needed clean sheet under their belt ahead of their return to league football this weekend; new signing Tim Ream looked impressive defensively, and you'd naturally expect a few more acquisitions before the window closes this time next week.
Fulham will play against Premier League side Stoke City, who narrowly avoided a cup upset away at Luton Town tonight, in the third round of the competition next month.