Prior to Saturday’s 1-1 draw with promotion rivals Stockport County, Cardiff had won their previous eight home league games.
Eager to resume their winning streak, Brian Barry-Murphy’s side flew out of the traps to take control of this encounter.
They opened the scoring with a well-crafted goal. Makeshift forward Kellyman swept the ball wide to the right, where Tanner moved infield and found the overlapping Ng, who did well to control the ball and rifle high into the net.
Cardiff should have doubled their lead in the 15th minute when Willock’s pinpoint cross from the left fell to an unmarked Tanner, but he miscued his close-range volley and it dribbled wide.
Barnsley showed glimpses of attacking threat, with Davis Keillor-Dunn’s 25-yard strike drawing an excellent save from Nathan Trott.
Otherwise, Conor Hourihane’s men were well beaten.
Willock’s first goal shortly before half-time put the home side well and truly on top, and there was no doubt about the result when he played a big role in the Bluebirds’ third.
After Barnsley had been tempted to try and play their way out of defence, Cardiff pounced with David Turnbull spreading the ball left for Willock, who ran towards the penalty area and fed Kellyman, whose finish was assured.
Willock made his second and Cardiff’s fourth goal look easy. Barnsley’s Tennai Watson sold himself short with a failed sliding tackle, leaving Willock to advance on goal and insolently lift the ball over the onrushing Goodman.
Substitute Callum Robinson was inches away from making it five when Goodman tipped his effort on to the bar.
Nonetheless, this was still a joint-biggest win of the season for Cardiff, who continue to set an impressive pace at the summit of League One.
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