Georginio Rutter scored twice and set up one as Brighton thrashed Kauno Zalgris 4-0 to get their Europa Conference League campaign off to a winning start.
Brighton were dominant from the first whistle to the last against the Lithuanian Cup winners and took the lead through Rutter, but only after a VAR check. The ball had initially been deemed to have gone out of play before Ibrahim Osman’s cut-back to the Dutchman, but the goal was awarded after review.
Rutter then turned provider as Brighton doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when Hinshelwood – returning to the side for the first time since the Premier League opening weekend – slotted into the corner.
The third came after a lung-bursting run from Malick Yalcouye, who played Osman through to cross for Rutter to turn into the net with ease.
Matt O’Riley made it four with a header as he scored his first Brighton goal since August 2025. The Australia international should have got his second with another header late on, but was denied by an excellent save from Tomas Svedkauskas.
Kauno Zalgiris’ Yukiyoshi Karashima (left) and Brighton and Hove Albion’s Costinha battle for the ball
It is now five straight wins in all competitions for Fabian Hurzeler’s side who host rivals Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
What the result means and next fixtures…
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
