Scott Parker professed himself pleased with a good night’s work as Fulham overcome a slow start to see off Sheffield Wednesday and book a place in the fourth round of the League Cup.

The Fulham manager opted to field a strong side featuring a number of first-team regulars, perhaps with an eye on a crucial clash with Aston Villa in the Premier League on Monday. The hosts took a while to settle but first half goals from Aboubakar Kamara and Bobby Decordova-Reid were enough to secure victory in an open game.

Parker told his post-match press conference:

Overall it was a really good performance. Defensively we looked very good, a clean sheet is obviously good to build on. We got the two goals for the win, but on another day it probably could have been a lot more. We had some real big chances that we’ve not managed to put in the back of the net, but overall I’m very pleased. We got some minutes in players’ legs who needed it, as well as still progressing as a team, so overall a lot of boxes ticked tonight.

The Fulham boss was pleased with the contributions of his two goalscorers, who he hopes can ease Fulham’s reliance on Aleksandar Mitrovic for goals going forward.

We realise this year we’re going to have to try and move the goals around the team a little bit more than we did last year, when we relied a lot on Aleks. I’m pleased now that Bobby’s got two in two, and that Abou is now off the mark tonight with a goal as well. Like I said, there were some good chances created by our front half players which, on another night, could have gone in.

Parker singled out the performances of Tyrese Francois and Fabio Carvalho, who came off the bench to make his senior debut in the second half.

I thought they were brilliant. They did really well, to be fair. They’ve trained really well with us over the last few weeks, I thought they were positive when they came on, and they created a few chances as well, so I was really pleased for those boys. Tyrese and Fabio, two very good football players who I’m sure will have a bright future here.

The win sets up another local derby with Brentford, just eight weeks after the Whites won the play-off final at Wembley.

It’s a derby in the next round of the cup, so of course it’s a big game for both sides, and we’re looking forward to it. The last time we played was certainly a lot bigger than the one we’re going to be playing next week. That’s not to put the game coming up down in any way, it’s the reality. But as always, when it’s a London derby, when you’re up against your rivals, there’s always a little bit more of an edge to it. We’re looking forward to playing against a very, very good Brentford side.

Parker refused to drawn about Fulham’s transfer dealings when asked about press reports that suggested they were close to signing Ademola Lookman and Marlon.

It’s all speculation really and players are owned by other teams so I wouldn’t want to comment on them. I think it’s clear we want to do some business but as for those individuals it’s not for me to comment really.