The Tykes accounted for Liverpool and Chelsea to reach last season’s semi-finals and 5,000 supporters hoped to witness more drama.

But Barnsley had little answer to an efficient Hammers display, and were 2-0 down by the interval after goals from Herita Ilunga and Mark Noble.

Ilunga opened the scoring when he had time to control the ball and slot home.

West Ham scored their second seven minutes before the interval after Noble was fouled in the box by Mounir El Haimour and the Hammers star sent his penalty low inside the right-hand post.

Diego Leon’s strike then rebounded off the post before another effort hit the bar but the game was put to bed when Carlton’s Cole deft header crept inside the post.