Slavisa’s ready to Chris and make up
FULHAM ......... 2 BARNSLEY ..... 0
UNSETTLED striker Chris Martin scored one and set up another on his Fulham return to help beat fellow Championship play-off hopefuls Barnsley.
On-loan Derby star Martin, featuring for the first time in 2017, put Slavisa Jokanovic’s Cottagers ahead from the penalty spot after Angus MacDonald fouled Kevin McDonald.
And he provided the 55th-minute assist which allowed Scott Malone to seal the points.
Adam Hammill had nearly put Barnsley ahead when he hit the bar and Tom Bradshaw headed a Conor Hourihane free-kick just wide of the home goal a minute later.
But Fulham broke the deadlock just before the break when Martin converted after referee Andy Davies pointed to the spot.
And they doubled the lead when Sone Aluko laid the ball off to the Scotland hitman who crossed for Malone to net with a left-foot volley.
Jokanovic said: “Chris Martin did a job with his team-mates and he did his job for Fulham.
“Everyone knows how important he is for us.
“We are fighting to convince him to stay with us. He showed us a great performance and we are happy because he is back.
“But on the other hand, I am proud of all my players.
“We played very good football, we created many things along with a clean sheet. This is more important for us.
“Chris was a little bit confused and now he has cleared his mind and I have promised to make him better and improve his quality.”
Barnsley boss Paul Heckingbottom said: “The penalty was a killer.
“There was a hand there but it was soft. They tangled beforehand and both players were appealing.”