A gutsy, spirited display from Charlton at Craven Cottage had Chris Powell beaming with pride.

He was pleased with his team’s performance but acknowledged there was a gulf in class between the teams. Here’s his assessment:

“I think what today shows you is you have got to be clinical when you get a half chance, that’s the difference between playing at our level, going up one level and playing against a club two levels up as we did today.

“A couple of goals came after deflections, and there was a penalty which possibly shouldn’t have been a penalty but its gone now.

“I felt 4-0 was quite harsh on us today as we did have moments of quality. We did have chances, with David Stockdale making three or four very good saves from Bradley Wright-Phillips, one from Yann Kermorgant and one from Danny Green and they were the moments, when you are playing against a team from a higher level that you need to take.

“Fulham are a very good team. They kept possession very well and have some good players but I felt we did as well as we could do.

“The scoreline doesn’t reflect what exactly happened today but it was a one-off game, a game we earned the right to get after winning in the first two rounds, but its more about the 22 games that remain for my football club now,” commented the manager.

Speed of thought, better first touch, better finishing are attributes that Premier League players have compared to those in League One. The mental energy expended often leaves lower division sides vulnerable in the closing stages of cup games.

Charlton’s greater quality saw them score late goals at Halifax in the first round. Fulham and neighbours Chelsea did the same against Charlton and Portsmouth over the weekend. Powell continued:

“I wanted us to have a good start and with Fulham scoring after around nine minutes it wasn’t the ideal start but we grew into it, and I felt we could have scored before then as Danny Hollands had a header cleared off the line.

“Johnnie Jackson had one from an acute angle that he couldn’t get on target and Bradley Wright-Phillips had a chance when David Stockdale saved with his foot.

“Those moments are what you need to go for you in cup ties,” said Chris.

The early goal was just what Martin Jol wanted. It allowed his side to play within themselves. Charlton’s best spell was immediately after the break when, for 15 minutes or so, they bossed the game. Powell summed it up like this:

“I felt The first 15 minutes of the second half was really like us. We used the ball well, got it out to wide areas and delivered some good balls in.

“I thought Yann’s through ball for Brad’s chance was a sublime piece of skill and David Stockdale stood big. He’s going to be a regular England keeper in my eyes but we couldn’t beat him today.

“Of course when Fulham got the chances they took them. I felt the second goal was crucial and was very well taken and really then we are chasing the game.

“I just looked to save one or two players like Rhoys Wiggins and Danny Hollands who have played a lot of football, by taking them off.

“Really after then it was a case of making sure we weren’t embarrassed. I feel four is harsh but it’s gone now. Fulham move on to the fourth round and we move on to Sheffield Wednesday,” said the manager before talking about the chance Wright-Phillips’ had to equalise, “It wasn’t only that chance. He had a chance, Danny Green had a shot and there was another half chance. Yann’s chance was still at 1-0.

“We had plenty of moments to claw it back and put Fulham more on the back foot but their two centre halves were very good for them and stood their ground and they have a very good goalkeeper.

“I’m glad I’m talking about him because that means we tested him. If I wasn’t it would mean we didn’t get any chances.

“I’m proud of my team that have created chances at a Premier League ground. I’ve seen many a team go and freeze but we didn’t.

“On another day it could have gone for us possibly, but it’s gone now,” concluded Powell.

So in time honoured tradition, Charlton can now concentrate on the league. The two Sheffield clubs are next up and Powell may be happy to see them still involved in the Cup. The manager will also be focusing on tweaking his squad a little.

Hogan Ephraim has indicated a permanent move to The Valley is a switch he would be happy to make but with Neil Warnock being sacked by QPR, discussions may have to be put on hold for a while.

Dale Stephens should be available again before the end of the month to provide some added creativity from the centre of the park.