LONDON (AP):

Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva had a dream return to club football nearly a year after breaking his leg, scoring twice in a 4-0 win over Cardiff in their FA Cup replay Monday night and ensuring the Gunners advanced to the tournament's fifth round.

Eduardo scored in the 20th minute with a header after fellow forward Carlos Vela struck a cross from the left and later from the penalty spot before being withdrawn with a slight hamstring strain in the second half.

The first goal was an emotional moment for the Croatia international, who ran towards the corner and fell to his knees and smiled before being enveloped by his teammates. Arsenal fans erupted into celebrations and sang Eduardo's name after the goal.

"Of course, everybody is happy for him but I believe it was a good team performance, dynamic, convincing, mobile with the kind of game we love to play," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. "Eduardo played a big part in that and everybody is of course pleased for him tonight."

Big step forward

"He made a big step forward two weeks ago where you could see he found sharpness in front of goal, in his runs, got rid of a bit of apprehension in the tackling ... . He's been extremely strong mentally (during the past year). I could never see one minute of doubt in his mind or one minute where he said 'No, today I don't want to do it'."

The 25-year-old striker was also very active in the preceding minutes leading up to his first goal, trying to chip Cardiff goalkeeper Tom Heaton, who came off his line, but the shot was well over the bar.

In the 60th minute, Cardiff midfielder Gavin Rae brought down Eduardo in the penalty area and referee Mark Halsey pointed to the spot. Eduardo then drilled the ball past Heaton, sending the keeper the wrong way.