Promoted Barnsley stunned promotion favourites Fulham on the opening Saturday of the Championship season.
Debutant Luke Thomas gave the hosts the lead when he latched on to Mike Bahre’s pass and showed good feet before scoring with a powerful shot.
Scott Parker’s side, relegated from the Premier League last season, were poor defensively and could have been further behind at the break but for wasteful finishing by Bahre.
Tykes defender Mads Andersen twice cleared off the line and sub Anthony Knockaert forced a good save from Tykes goalkeeper Samuel Radlinger as the visitors pushed for a leveller, but the hosts held out.
Daniel Stendel gave debuts to six summer signings on Barnsley’s return to the second tier after a season in League One.
Despite the high number of changes to last season’s promotion-winning team, the hosts did not look disjointed and took a deserved lead through Thomas in the 13th minute.
Fulham improved after the break, with Tom Cairney and Floyd Ayite seeing Andersen clear efforts off the line, but struggled to get forwards Ivan Cavaleiro, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Aboubakar Kamara into the game.
The Tykes visit South Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday next Saturday, while Parker’s side host Blackburn the same day.
