Brighton 4–0 Kauno Zalgiris: Rutter double gets Conference League campaign off to winning start

Georginio Rutter scored twice as Brighton opened their Conference League league-phase campaign with a comfortable 4–0 victory over Kauno Žalgiris at the Amex.

Jack Hinshelwood and Matt O’Riley also found the net as Fabian Hürzeler’s side collected three points ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Crystal Palace.

Hürzeler had challenged Brighton to show greater ruthlessness in Europe. His players delivered four goals without reply, with Rutter involved in each of the first three.

Brighton vs Kauno Zalgiris: Rutter leads the way

The visitors held out until the 41st minute, when Rutter broke the deadlock from Ibrahim Osman’s pass. His opening goal was confirmed following a VAR review.

Rutter then turned provider for Hinshelwood, who finished left-footed in first-half stoppage time to send Brighton into the interval two goals ahead.

The Frenchman added his second in the 53rd minute, again supplied by Osman, to put Albion firmly in control.

O’Riley completed the scoring in the 67th minute, heading in Younes Ibrahim’s cross following a set piece.

That left Brighton with a commanding advantage, and they saw out the closing stages to secure a clean sheet and a winning start.

Crystal Palace next for Brighton

Albion return to Premier League action at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday, October 18, with kick-off at 2pm UK time.

Palace arrive following their 3–2 defeat at Lyon, where goals from Yeremy Pino and Daichi Kamada were insufficient to rescue a point.

Brighton’s European campaign continues with a trip to Jablonec on Thursday, October 22, kicking off at 5.45pm UK time.