Analysis from Barnsley's EFL Cup win over Fleetwood Town on Wednesday. After Jon Russell's opener and an own goal were cancelled out late in each half, the Reds won 5-4 on penalties with Murphy Cooper saving twice.

REFRESHING START GOES ON WITH CUP WIN

THREE games, three wins – it has been an excellent start to the season for Conor Hourihane’s Barnsley.

This penalty shoot-out success in the EFL Cup against a League Two club, with a much-changed side, is not as notable as taking six points from the six available in league games so far, but it continues the feel-good beginning to the campaign.

They now host Rotherham United in the second round at the end of the month which, while not a mouth-watering clash, is an opportunity to continue their strong record against their neighbours and get into the third round for a second successive year.

Cup runs can generate much-needed cash and take teams to the biggest stadiums in the world such as last year’s ill-fated trip to Old Trafford.

They can also create momentum, as Hourihane knows from the EFL Trophy run which went alongside the promotion in 2016 – with him scoring at Fleetwood in the trophy semi-final before lifting both cups at Wembley as captain.

This was still the least important of the three home games this week and the first of three matches in six days – so changes were prudent and inevitable.

The Reds made six changes to Saturday’s 11 whereas Fleetwood made eight, while Barnsley selected just seven substitutes when nine are allowed in the cup – suggesting Hourihane has his first team squad and wants to stick to it.

Both sides had won their first two games of the league season but, as you would expect, Barnsley were the better side and dominated possession while playing some attractive football. The defensive issues continued but they held their nerve in the penalty shoot-out.

SIGNINGS STAND OUT

Barnsley’s summer signings have caught the eye in the opening weeks of this season and especially on Wednesday.

Reyes Cleary in particular stood out, setting up both goals and several other chances with fantastic wing play. The ability to beat a defender with pace and skill and then deliver consistently good crosses is something the Reds have not had for some time, and precisely what Hourihane wanted when he switched to 4-3-3. He will come up against better defenders than Fleetwood’s hapless Will Johnson whom he gave a torrid time, but it was certainly a very promising display. Cleary tired towards the end and the defensive tracking back which he showed early on was not there when Johnson crossed for the second leveller, but he still smashed home his penalty emphatically.

Like Cleary, midfielder Patrick Kelly made his first start for the Reds and also shone – with the ability to beat players and move into space then find incisive passes. It would have been cruel if his missed penalty had knocked the Reds out but overall he appears to be another extremely talented signing.

Caylan Vickers continued to impress on the right wing while left-back Nathanael Ogbeta played an excellent pass for the second home goal, having dropped in a central area.

Tennai Watson was Barnsley’s oldest player as he played for the first time since Charlton’s play-off final win at Wembley in May, not getting forward much and making some risky headers then finishing as centre-back with Kelly right-back.

RUSSELL CONTINUES GOAL RUN

It is unusual for Barnsley to have a midfielder who has scored six goals in his last six starts for the club but cannot get into the regular 11 in the league.

That is the case for Jon Russell who netted five in five at the end of last season, and 11 in total, then scored another three for Jamaica in various competitions over the summer. But he has found himself on the bench for the first two games of Barnsley’s season with Vimal Yoganathan preferred.

Russell opened the scoring on Wednesday, towering over marker Liam Roberts to head Cleary’s cross into the top right corner on 15 minutes, and converted his penalty very calmly. He provided some superb pieces of skill but also squandered other good attacking situations as Hourihane, while generally praising Russell’s performance, said he tends to take too many touches.

Russell played a similar role to that which Adam Phillips – an unused substitute for this game – has been operating in in the league, on one side of a midfield three out of possession but pushing forward when Barnsley have the ball to make a 4-2-4. That is one of the subtle changes that so far mark Hourihane out as a more adventurous and nuanced coach than some of his predecessors.

Jono Bland continued his bright start to the season as he played the holding role but made an attacking contribution with a series of clever passes to create chances.

Barnsley’s lack of striker depth was shown by Davis Keillor-Dunn having to start again – captain for the night and this time up front after playing on the wing in the league. He volleyed over twice from close range after meeting Cleary crosses but played some good passes before being replaced at the break by debutant Leo Farrell, 19, who is much bigger and also supplied some intelligent touches before scoring his penalty. There was also a debut for 17-year-old left-back Robson Woodcock in injury-time.

DEFENCE STILL WEAKER AREA

As has been the theme so far this season, Barnsley made mistakes in defence but their attacking prowess and character secured the win.

There were some bizarre incidents such as a Fleetwood throw flying all the way into the net – which did not count as a goal but was not convincing defending – then the equaliser appearing to go straight in from Liam Roberts’ right-wing corner. It looked like an ‘Olympic goal’ but it may have taken a slight touch off the head of either Fleetwood’s Toby Mullarkey or Barnsley defender Connor Barratt at the near post.

Either way, despite Jack Shepherd winning a lot of headers, the Reds did not have enough commanding aerial presences in their box to deal with Fleetwood’s direct tactics.

It was a learning night for Barratt and Shepherd against veteran strikers James Norwood – who returned to his old club – and Ched Evans.

SUPER COOPER SHOOT-OUT HERO

A young side showed some guts to put the late leveller behind them and win the shoot-out.

For the third year in a row, Barnsley’s first round tie in the EFL Cup went to penalties.

After losing to Tranmere then beating Wigan, they gained another victory with goalkeeper Murphy Cooper emulating Gaga Slonina by saving two penalties.

It must be hoped that he follows it up with more consistent performances than his American predecessor.