Barnsley's Valerien Ismael pleased to see his side get their overdue reward

The Reds started the year with narrow league defeats to promotion contenders Norwich, Swansea City and Watford, their only victory of the new year coming over League Two Tranmere Rovers in the third round of the Cup.

But they were deserving of a bigger victory over Championship leaders Norwich than the 1-0 margin given to them by Callum Styles's goal, after what the Frenchman called one of the best performances of his tenure. They can now look forward to a fifth-round visit from Chelsea or Luton Town, who play on Sunday.

“Tonight is not only the 1-0 result, it's the result from the last few weeks,” stressed Ismael.

“We knew we were near, we were close to beating a top team and now we've made the next step. That's why it was so important for us, it was more than (an) FA Cup (tie). It was a game to reward ourselves for our excellent performances and the boys did the job well. It's a great feeling now that we've finished the job after the run of games in the Championship.

“It's important to know we can do this. We were near but now we know we can.

“I have to say it was one of the best (performances in my time) because we were stable, we controlled a lot of situations, we pressed well and created a lot of chances.

“We worked with the guys on it after Watford. We said we had to be more dangerous in the opposition's box.

“We had a lot of crosses and counter-pressing situations, shots at goal, throw-ins and corners. The guys understood how we can put the opponent under more pressure but for sure when the games are so tight you have to finish it with a second goal.

“Conor (Chaplin) had a few possibilities in the second half to finish the job and make it a quieter afternoon for us but we knew it would be difficult against an opponent like this.

“We needed some luck with (Przemyslaw Placheta hitting) the crossbar and the save on the line (a block from Styles). This is what we needed and congratulations again to my guys for the performance and the clean sheet.”

As well as scoring the goal, Styles's block from substitute Emil Buendia was crucial. It capped an excellent performance, but one his demanding coach said was overdue.

“I'm delighted he's back from his deep sleep in the last weeks,” he said. “Having played at this level he has to stay that way.

“He's a young player with big talent but he has to learn to stay at this level and this is the big thing. Today it was the right step in the right direction for him.”

Ismael also explained Romal Palmer's half-time substitution was due to fatigue having had little football recently. The same was true of a number of Norwich players, something manager Daniel Farke thought significant.

“They deserved to win this game and we have to accept that,” said the German.

“Barnsley away is a difficult game anyway, especially at this time of year when the pitches are bad and under these circumstances.

“Barnsley are in mid-table and they totally went for this game, they more or less went for their strongest line-up and we decided we had to rotate a bit more and give some valuable game-time to some players who desperately needed it.

“But we wanted to go to the next round without doubt.

“We expected this game would be more difficult but it was possible to win this game.

"In the first half we were not that dominant like in the last league games because that's normal when you rotate several players.

“We should have defended the situation before the goal more aggressively and in the last 30 minutes we had chances to equalise – Placheta one-on-one with the goalkeeper and he hit the bar and Emi Buendia had a great chance so we are disappointed.

“I think we have to say congratulations to Barnsley and accept the loss.”

With the draw made before the fourth round was played, Ismael can now watch Sunday's noon game to find out who he will play.

Chelsea come with some history having famously been knocked out of the FA Cup on their last trip tom Oakwell, in 2008, but they also hammered Barnsley 6-0 in September's League Cup tie at Stamford Bridge.

“I'm just happy we'll play at home because it's easier to manage the game at home,” insisted Ismael. “It could be Chelsea or Luton, the Cup is a tight competition so it's always a 50-50 situation. The good thing is that tomorrow we can enjoy the game.”

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