Vale were taken apart in the pouring rain by Premier League Fulham, who'd only made three changes from the side that had got a draw from Manchester United.
One addition was left back Matthew Briggs making his debut. On 10 minutes, he crossed for Zoltan Gera to head Fulham's opening goal.
New signing Moussa Dembele, also on his debut, fired home the second.
In the 36th minute Bobby Zamora scored from a tight angle for 3-0, and Gera hit the 4th from 20 yards in injury time before the break.
Zamora got his second from a free kick on 66 minutes, and 4 minutes later substitute Clint Dempsey hit a long range sixth goal.
But Vale kept going to the end, searching for a goal, whilst Stuart Tomlinson kept the score down at the other end.
Former Fulham manager Micky Adams took it on the chin. A credible end to Vale's away run.