WHETHER Premier League clubs care as much as they once did for the FA Cup, there was a definite sub-plot to this tie. It coincided with what is expected to be a hectic January transfer window at Upton Park, leaving fans guessing which “injured” players were being rested, to leave them available to play in the competition for a new club.

Most West Ham supporters were of the opinion that the virus that kept out defender Matthew Upson, one of the Hammers’ most desirable assets, was a chronic case of transfer flu. On the same basis, they were delighted to see Craig Bellamy start, less pleased with the appearance of Carlton Cole and distraught that Luis Boa Morte played.

Hammers fans might also be worried that Mark Noble could attract suitors over the next four weeks after an outstanding display. He delivered a perfect free kick for Herita Ilunga to score the opener, his first goal in claret and blue and only the fourth of his career. Then, after a neat piece of footwork drew a foul from Hugo Colace in the area, Noble struck home the penalty himself. Barnsley, who were surprise semi-finalists last year, were on their way out, little more than half an hour into the game. They could feel aggrieved with the scoreline, however, having seen the eye-pleasing Diego Leon strike both the bar and a post.

Poor old Boa Morte raised the biggest cheer of the day, a real pantomime villain roar, when he was brought off just before Cole headed in West Ham’s third from Ilunga’s cross. But Kieron Dyer got an even more rousing reception when he came on for his first appearance since August 2007, which must be the longest case of transfer flu on record. He almost scored with his third touch and sent the fans home happy with a late strike that Heinz Muller did well to tip over the bar.

West Ham’s manager, Gianfranco Zola, inset, shot off early to dodge questions about which players might be sold, leaving first-team coach Steve Clarke to duck the issue instead. But he did say that Upson had been in bed all week, not with alleged admirers Arsenal and Tottenham, but with flu.

Star man: Mark Noble (West Ham)

Yellow cards: West Ham: Mullins, Faubert Barnsley: Colace

WEST HAM UNITED: Green 6, Faubert 6, Collins 6, Tomkins 7, Ilunga 7, Collison 6 (Dyer 70min), Noble 8, Mullins 7, Boa Morte 5 (Etherington 66min), Bellamy 6, Cole 6 (Tristan 75min)

BARNSLEY: Muller 7, Van Homoet 6, Foster 6, Souza 6, El Haimour 6, Colace 6, Hassell 7, Campbell-Ryce 7, Leon 7 (Butterfield 86min), Rigters 6 (Adam 86min), Odejayi 6 (Coulson 89min)

Referee: M Oliver

Attendance: 28,869

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