Brighton's disciplined start in Europe pleases Hurzeler after Kauno Žalgiris win

"We showed a good performance, a disciplined performance, a performance where we kept a clean sheet and a performance where a lot of players used the opportunities." Fabian Hurzeler said that after Brighton's 4-0 win over Kauno Žalgiris in the UEFA Europa Conference League on Thursday. Georginio Rutter was at the centre of it, scoring twice and setting up another goal as Brighton opened their European campaign with control.

Rutter's night at the Amex

Rutter scored in the 41st minute and again in the 53rd, with his second-half work bookending a first period in which he also assisted Jack Hinshelwood's strike in first-half stoppage time. Hinshelwood, back in the side for the first time since the Premier League opening weekend, made the most of his return by scoring Brighton's second goal.

Matt O'Riley added the fourth to finish the job, and the result extended Brighton's winning run to five straight matches in all competitions. In a game where Brighton created repeatedly, Rutter's contribution was the sharpest part of the night and the one Hurzeler kept coming back to.

The depth Hurzeler wants

Hurzeler's point was not just about one standout display. He spoke about players taking opportunities, and Brighton got that from several directions. Ibrahim Osman created two goals, Pascal Groß supplied nine key passes and Malick Yalcouyé completed 82 passes, which fits the story of a side controlling the ball and finding chances from different areas.

The clean sheet matters too, because it gives the manager exactly the sort of balanced performance he was asking for. Kauno Žalgiris goalkeeper Tomas Švedkauskas still made five saves, so Brighton were not breezing through a training-ground exercise, but the hosts were in command for long spells and never looked in trouble after the early stages.

Brighton now take five straight wins into Sunday's Premier League meeting with Crystal Palace, and Hurzeler will be pleased that his European opener gave him goals, a clean sheet and minutes for players who needed them. Rutter's brace made the headline, but the evening looked more like a squad message than a solo act.