Fulham manager Roy Hodgson admitted his side had performed poorly after slumping to a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa at Villa Park.
Goals by Gabriel Agbonlahor and an own goal by John Pantsil sealed the win for Martin O'Neill's side against a weary-looking Fulham.
Speaking after the game the Whites boss revealed that the early goal had been a big blow to his team.
"I don't think it was a very good performance from our point of view," he explained.
"Particularly the first goal that we conceded so needlessly after three minutes that put up on the back foot and then we were meeting a very strong and determined Aston Villa team."
The visitors struggled to work Brad Friedel in the home goal and Hodgson admitted the game was all but over after Agbonlahor had grabbed the second goal.
"We were unable to really trouble them enough in the first half," he added.
"In the second half we kept the ball better and made a slightly better effort at it but then of course we conceded the second goal and when that happened it's a long climb back."
The 62-year-old also refused to blame defeat on Fulham's midweek European excursion and insisted his team must learn to cope with the Europa League.
"We have to come to terms with these things, we've got to learn to deal with them, we've got to find energy, work harder, get together and play better," he added.
"We have to got to make certain that we find the necessary running power to make certain we at least match our opponents if not better them."