FA Cup: Eduardo back with a bang
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Eduardo da Silva enjoyed a dream return as the Brazilian-born Croatian striker scored twice in Arsenal's 4-0 FA Cup fourth-round replay win over Cardiff, exactly 359 days after suffering the horrendous injury which had threatened to end his career.
Playing his first club match since suffering a double compound fracture of his leg nearly a year ago, Eduardo headed the Gunners in front on 20 minutes after Carlos Vela struck a cross from the left.
The home side doubled their advantage in the 34th minute when Nicklas Bendtner outjumped three Cardiff defenders to head Samir Nasri's corner into the far corner of the net.
Seconds before half-time they should have been even further ahead but Bendtner somehow missed an open goal after Tom Heaton could only parry Eduardo's shot.
In the 60th minute, Cardiff midfielder Gavin Rae was adjudged to have fouled Eduardo in the box and referee Mark Halsey pointed to the spot. Eduardo stepped up himself and slotted home calmly for his second.
Eduardo nearly had a hat trick a few minutes later but saw Heaton make another save before the striker was substituted to a standing ovation.
The man who replaced Eduardo, Robin van Persie, got his name on the scoresheet in the 89th minute after Bendtner's throughball found the Dutch international who blasted the ball past Heaton with his right foot.
Van Persie also hit the post in injury time with a header, but by then the damage had already been done.
Arsenal now have a chance for revenge against Burnley - the team who knocked them out of this season's Carling Cup.
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Playing his first club match since suffering a double compound fracture of his leg nearly a year ago, Eduardo headed the Gunners in front on 20 minutes after Carlos Vela struck a cross from the left.
The home side doubled their advantage in the 34th minute when Nicklas Bendtner outjumped three Cardiff defenders to head Samir Nasri's corner into the far corner of the net.
Seconds before half-time they should have been even further ahead but Bendtner somehow missed an open goal after Tom Heaton could only parry Eduardo's shot.
In the 60th minute, Cardiff midfielder Gavin Rae was adjudged to have fouled Eduardo in the box and referee Mark Halsey pointed to the spot. Eduardo stepped up himself and slotted home calmly for his second.
Eduardo nearly had a hat trick a few minutes later but saw Heaton make another save before the striker was substituted to a standing ovation.
The man who replaced Eduardo, Robin van Persie, got his name on the scoresheet in the 89th minute after Bendtner's throughball found the Dutch international who blasted the ball past Heaton with his right foot.
Van Persie also hit the post in injury time with a header, but by then the damage had already been done.
Arsenal now have a chance for revenge against Burnley - the team who knocked them out of this season's Carling Cup.
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