Fulham - 2 Watford - 0: Watford were the victims of simple pragmatism. Manager Ray Lewington wore a scowl at the final whistle, but circumstance was his greatest enemy last night.
This was not his greatest priority. With Saturday's trip to Championship leaders Wigan preceding next Tuesday's English League Cup semi-final return leg against Liverpool, it was perhaps an unwelcome fixture.
And though Lewington fielded a strong side it couldn't prevent Fulham, 15th in the Premiership, imposing themselves on the 15th-placed Championship side from the start.
On 13 minutes, Pape Bouba Diop dispossessed Gavin Mahon in midfield and looked up to see the streak of white that was Moritz Volz's sprint. Jermaine Darlington, Watford's left back, tangled with Bouba Diop's through ball, diverting it into Volz's path.
There was still much to do for the Germany under-21 player, but his calmness and pace allowed him to finish beyond Alec Chamberlain and into the net. It was his first goal for Fulham.
When Fulham showed some Premiership quality, Watford were cut apart.
So it was midway through the second half when Andrew Cole's ball was inch perfect, allowing Tomasz Radzinski to turn James Chambers with a single touch, enter the Watford box and dispatch his low shot home.
Watford hope for more next week.
FULHAM: Van der Sar, Volz, Knight, Rehman, Bocanegra, Radzinski, Bouba Diop, Clark (Pembridge 63), Legwinski, Boa Morte (John 84), Cole (McBride 71). Subs Not Used: Crossley, Rosenior. Booked: Rehman, Bouba Diop. Goals: Volz 13, Radzinski 65.
WATFORD: Chamberlain, Chambers, Demerit, Cox, Darlington, Devlin (Gunnarsson 67), Mahon, Blizzard (Dyer 67), Bouazza (Ardley 67), Webber, Helguson. Subs Not Used: Doyley, Young.
Referee: A D'Urso (Essex).
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