Georginio Rutter scored twice as Brighton began their Conference League campaign with a comfortable 4-0 win over Lithuanian side FK Kauno Zalgiris at the Amex Stadium.

Jack Hinshelwood and Matt O’Riley were also on target as Fabian Hurzeler’s side made light work of their opponents on their return to European football.

Brighton controlled the opening stages but had to wait until the 41st minute to make the breakthrough.

Ibrahim Osman provided the assist for Rutter, who opened the scoring to give the home side a deserved lead after a period of sustained pressure.

The Seagulls doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time, with Rutter turning provider for Hinshelwood, who found the net in the 47th minute.

That goal left the visitors with a difficult task heading into the interval, having struggled to create meaningful opportunities against their Premier League opponents.

Brighton picked up where they left off after the restart and needed just eight minutes to add a third.

Rutter grabbed his second goal of the evening in the 53rd minute, again benefiting from Osman’s involvement as the winger registered another assist.

With a three-goal cushion, Brighton were able to play with greater freedom, while Kauno Zalgiris continued to struggle to find a way through the hosts’ defence.

O’Riley completed the scoring in the 67th minute, adding a fourth to put the result beyond any doubt with more than 20 minutes remaining.

Brighton saw out the closing stages without conceding, securing a clean sheet alongside their four goals.

The result gives Hurzeler’s side three points from their opening league-phase fixture and an encouraging start to their latest European campaign.

The UEFA Europa Conference League Table

UEFA Conference League

• Position 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 : Promotion – Conference League (Play Offs: 1/8-finals)
• Position 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 : Promotion – Conference League (Play Offs: 1/16-finals)

Upcoming fixtures for Brighton and Kauno Žalgiris