BBC SPORT | ENGLISH DIVISION 1 | Five-star Fulham return to top

His third came from the penalty spot after Miller had brought down Bjarne Goldbaek, and even Fulham's fourth goal was made by Saha - his low cross was slid in from close range by Hayles.

Substitute Luis Boa Morte rubbed salt in Barnsley's wounds with a finely taken 88th-minute goal after Matty Appleby had reduced the deficit.

Barnsley finished the game with 10 men after Mitch Ward was sent off for two bookable offences. He earned his second yellow card in the 62nd minute but it was not until three minutes later that the fourth official was able to point out his error and Ward was dismissed from the field.

It was another superb performance by the Londoners who could have won by a bigger score against one of the division's better sides.

Fulham's only mistake was to let the visitors get a goal in the 72nd minute. They had just brought on three substitutes and were still reorganising when Appleby ran through to score a consolation.

The visitors had their moments but they were few and far between. Mike Sheron wasted a good chance in the first half but for most of the game they were chasing shadows and finished a well-beaten side.

Fulham: Taylor, Finnan, Brevett, Melville, Coleman, Davis, Goldbaek, Clark, Fernandes, Saha, Hayles. Subs: Hahnemann, Boa Morte, Hayward, Lewis, W. Collins.

Barnsley: Miller, Regan, Morgan, Appleby, Ward, O'Callaghan, Van Der Laan, Sheron, Shipperley, Corbo, Barnard. Subs: Walker, Moses, Woan, L. Jones, Neil.

Referee: A Hall (Birmingham).