Fulham, thrashed 4-1 at home by relegation candidates Sunderland on Saturday, cast off the shackles of their league form to hit top gear with a performance full of attacking intent on a cold night at a half-empty Craven Cottage.
They opened the scoring after 16 minutes through former England striker Darren Bent, who found the net from Pajtim Kasami's cross for his second goal in three games having failed to get on the scoresheet in the previous 10.
Ashkan Dejagah fired into the roof of the net to double the London side's lead four minutes before the break and Steve Sidwell made the result safe with a header in the second half to set up a fourth-round clash at Sheffield United.
Holders Wigan Athletic, who shocked Manchester City to win the Cup last season before being relegated from the top flight, were 11 minutes away from a third-round replay exit at third tier MK Dons before forcing extra time and winning 3-1.
Wigan substitute and Manchester United loanee Nick Powell scored after 79 minutes to cancel out former United midfielder Luke Chadwick's opener. Powell then grabbed a second goal in extra time and Marc-Antoine Fortune added the third.
Wigan are at home to Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace in the fourth round later this month.
Bournemouth beat Burton Albion 4-1 to set up a home tie with Liverpool in the next round while there were also wins for Birmingham City, Kidderminster, Port Vale, Preston North End, Sheffield Wednesday and Watford.
Charlton Athletic and Oxford United drew 2-2 in their third round tie and will face a replay.
(Reporting by Toby Davis; editing by Ken Ferris)
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