Georginio Rutter scored twice as in-form Brighton began the league phase of their Conference League campaign with a dominant home victory over Lithuanian side Kauno Zalgiris.

Brighton, third in the Premier League, took 41 minutes to break down their limited opponents, who offered virtually nothing as an attacking threat.

Rutter converted from Ibrahim Osman's pullback, with the goal originally ruled out as the officials thought the ball had gone out of play only for the decision to be overruled by the video assistant referee.

It then became a question of how many Brighton would score.

Their second came just before the interval with Rutter setting up Jack Hinshelwood and the midfielder converted with a first-time effort on his return to the side after nearly two months out with an ankle injury.

The second half continued in the same one-way fashion with Hinshelwood having a header pushed over before Rutter got his second and Brighton's third, again finishing from an Osman assist.

Matt O'Riley had hit the post but seconds later made it 4-0 with a header following a cross from 18-year-old Egyptian midfielder Younes Ibrahim, making his Brighton debut.

Three of the five winners of this third-tier European trophy have come from England - West Ham in 2023, Chelsea in 2025 and Crystal Palace in 2026 - with Brighton favourites to win the competition this season.

The Seagulls had to advance through a two-legged play-off tie against Norwegian side Tromso in August, with Brighton winning 4-0 in the second leg after a goalless draw away from home.

Brighton's fans have now seen the team score eight goals in two home European ties in 2026-27, with the club also the top scorers in the Premier League with 18 goals in six domestic league matches.

They entertain rivals Crystal Palace on Sunday before returning to the Conference League next Thursday with a trip to the Czech Republic to face Jablonec.

For Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, it was the perfect evening.

The Lithuanian visitors showed their intent early on by defending deep, camped on the edge of their penalty area in a low block, looking to frustrate the hosts.

Lewis Dunk had scored a stunning 35-yard strike in the 5-0 league win against Coventry, later named as the Premier League goal of the month for September, and the Brighton skipper was unlucky to see a long-range attempt just go over.

But the breakthrough always looked like it would come soon. Hinshelwood had a header tipped over, before Rutter got his first goal of the season to end Zalgiris' resistance.

From then on it was easy for a Brighton side that ended up with nearly 80% of possession.

Hinshelwood, Rutter again and O'Riley added further goals, with the latter denied another by a fine save from away goalkeeper Tomas Svedkauskas.

Hurzeler, speaking to Uefa, said: "It was a very disciplined performance, we kept a clean sheet. A lot of players took their opportunity and that's something we will need for the whole season.

"I always want to emphasise the work we do on and off the pitch to build connections, to build this togetherness; I want to emphasise the work in the shadows, because that's the work we really need to build the connections."

For Brighton, this result continues a superb season in only their second ever continental campaign.

Domestically, they have already beaten Aston Villa 4-0 and embarrassed reigning champions Arsenal 3-0 in the Premier League, and came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Old Trafford and knock Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup.

Hurzeler's side have now scored 29 goals in 10 matches in all competitions and they will fancy their chances of a lengthy run in the Conference League.