Tue Jan 27, 2026 10:22 pm
The Bluebirds welcomed the Tykes to Cardiff City Stadium and won 4-0
By Glen Williams
Cardiff City produced one of their most complete performances of the season as they swept Barnsley aside with a convincing 4-0 win at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Brian Barry-Murphy’s side were relentless from the first whistle and fully deserved a victory that matched their biggest margin of success this campaign, equalling the 4-0 triumph over Plymouth earlier in the season, keeping them four points clear of second-placed Lincoln City at the top of the table.
City wasted no time in asserting themselves and took the lead inside three minutes. Omari Kellyman, leading the line in the absence of Yousef Salech, switched play smartly to Ollie Tanner, whose influence was immediate and constant. Tanner’s pass found Perry Ng bursting forward on the overlap and the right-back showed superb composure to control before rifling a fierce effort into the roof of the net from a tight angle.
The early goal set the tone. Tanner continued to torment Barnsley’s left side, delivering a series of dangerous crosses that City really should have capitalised on. The best chance fell to Tanner himself midway through the first half, ghosting in at the far post to meet Chris Willock’s inviting cross, only to volley wide from close range when it looked easier to score.
Barnsley offered sporadic threat on the break, with Adam Phillips and Davis Keillor-Dunn both testing Nathan Trott from distance, but Cardiff were largely in control. Alex Robertson walked a tightrope after picking up an early booking for a cynical foul, much to the frustration of Tykes boss Conor Hourihane, who felt the midfielder was fortunate to stay on the pitch.
The Bluebirds’ pressure eventually told again right on the stroke of half-time. After Cardiff regained possession from a scrappy Barnsley throw-in, Kellyman drove purposefully towards the box before slipping in Willock. The winger showed quick feet to sit down Tennai Watson before calmly placing his finish into the bottom corner to make it 2-0.
David Turnbull replaced the booked Robertson at the break, and while Barnsley briefly enjoyed a little more of the ball early in the second half, Cardiff always looked the more dangerous side. Trott had to be alert to deny Patrick Kelly at his near post, but moments later City went close themselves when Ng blazed over after a deflected Robinson effort fell kindly.
The third goal arrived on 63 minutes and effectively ended the contest. Turnbull spread play to Willock, who cut inside and threaded a pass into Kellyman. The Chelsea loanee took one touch to steady himself before guiding a low left-footed finish beyond Owen Goodman and into the far corner.
Cardiff were playing with real freedom and confidence, and the fourth was arguably the pick of the bunch.
Willock, already on the scoresheet, showed strength and awareness to win a 50/50 deep inside Barnsley territory before advancing on goal. With Goodman rushing out to narrow the angle, Willock displayed wonderful composure to delicately dink the ball over the goalkeeper from distance and into the net.
The closing stages were played almost entirely in Barnsley’s half, with the Canton Stand in full voice as the “Ole’s” rang out. Robinson, introduced from the bench, went in search of a goal of his own but was denied by a combination of blocks and hurried decisions, as well as a flying Goodman save in stoppage time.
Cardiff City XI: Trott; Ng, Chambers, Fish, Bagan (Kpakio 79); Wintle, Robertson (Turnbull 46), J. Colwill (Davies 70); Tanner (Ashford 70), Kellyman (Robinson 70), Willock.
Barnsley XI: Goodman; Watson (De Gevigney 73), Shepherd, O'Connell; Kelly, Connell, Bland (Yoganathan 61), Phillips (Farrell 73); O'Keeffe, Keillor-Dunn, Cleary (Ogbeta 31).