Derby cruise past Barnsley to reach fourth round

Tom Barkhuizen’s third goal in two games helped send Derby County into the FA Cup fourth round after overcoming fellow League One side Barnsley.

Barkhuizen doubled Derby’s advantage with a thumping second-half finish.

A defensive mix-up allowed Jason Knight to complete the win with a late third.

It was a comprehensive win for Paul Warne’s Rams against a side that is just one point and two places adrift of Derby in the League One play-off places at the midway point of the season.

Barnsley, who had a seven-game unbeaten league run – which included six wins – brought to an end by Bolton last time out, started strongly against a Derby side whose only defeat in 15 games in all competitions was a penalty shootout loss to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup in early November.

First-half chances were limited for the two evenly-matched outfits.

Jake Rooney – cousin of Wayne Rooney, England and Manchester United’s all-time top goal scorer, who was Rams boss when the club was relegated amid a period of financial turmoil at Pride Park last season – was one of just two Derby changes for the game.

Korey Smith dropped out because of injury, as did David McGoldrick, who was replaced by fellow former Republic of Ireland international James Collins.

Meanwhile, Barnsley goalkeeper Jack Walton was recalled for the Tykes, with his last appearance coming against Crewe in the previous round, while defender Tom Edwards started on his return from a knee injury.

And the defender was quick to threaten for the fast-starting visitors, forcing Joe Wildsmith to make an excellent early save with a glancing near-post header from a corner.

Dobbin clipped the bar with Derby’s first effort of the game in the 24th minute after meeting a neatly clipped Barkhuizen cross.

From that moment on, the Rams dominated what remained of the half.

Still, it was not until after the Tykes lost Edwards to a serious looking leg injury that the hosts took the lead from the spot, with Collins sending Walton the wrong way from the spot after Wolfe handled a corner from Barkhuizen.

Barnsley’s inability to clear danger at the top of the box on the hour mark allowed the ball to break kindly for Barkhuizen, who turned on edge of the area before beating the keeper with a powerfully-struck shot.

A day of disappointment for Barnsley ended with a defensive error that led to Derby’s third.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing was first gifted the ball, and while Walton did well to keep him out, the rebound found the forward again before he rolled a pass for Knight to slot home.