Norwich 0-4 Brighton: Georginio Rutter scores twice as Fabian Hurzeler's side reach FA Cup fourth round

Brighton got back to winning ways in emphatic fashion as they beat Norwich 4-0 to cruise into the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The Seagulls had failed to win any of their previous eight games, with six ending in draws, but it was a different story at Carrow Road as they hit the goal trail against their Championship hosts.

Two goals towards the end of the first half from Georginio Rutter set the Premier League outfit on their way to a comfortable victory before Julio Enciso and substitute Solly March struck after the break to emphasise the gulf between the two sides

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Norwich made a decent start and almost went ahead on 15 minutes when Amankwah Forson, the goalscoring hero of the previous week's dramatic win over Coventry, struck an upright from 25 yards.

But the Premier League visitors gradually asserted control and Rutter had two goal-bound efforts blocked before finally giving his side the lead eight minutes before the break.

With the striker lurking at the back post, his fellow Dutchman Joel Veltman delivered an inch-perfect cross from the right that was headed powerfully past George Long from close range.

Rutter doubled his and Brighton's tally in the final minute of the opening period, with a little bit of help from home defender Callum Doyle.

Yankuba Minteh set up the chance with a swift break down the centre and an accurate pass and although Rutter's shot appeared to be on target, it needed a big deflection off Doyle to beat the 'keeper.

Brighton scored the game's crucial third goal just before the hour mark to take complete control.

A slip by half-time substitute Brad Hills allowed Enciso to nick possession and burst into the area before beating Long from a tight angle, with the ball going in off the far post.

March then produced a moment of magic to make it 4-0 on 74 minutes, curling the ball home in spectacular style after being picked out on the right by fellow substitute Brajan Gruda.

Replays suggested March might have netted from an offside position but with no VAR in operation the goal stood.

With the game long since lost, the Canaries got key striker Josh Sargent back on the pitch in the closing stages after a long injury absence - but that was their only bright spot of a grim afternoon.

The managers

Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup:

"I thought it was a good game for us to have at this moment - to show us the difference between us and the Premier League and what we have to do.

"I think we had some good moments, especially in the first half, and with a bit of luck could have gone ahead.

"But then we saw the Premier League quality, needing just one touch rather than two to make a pass, things like that.

"That put us under a bit of stress and we made a few mistakes but we kept trying to play the game our way rather than just see it out.

"I thought there were some positives out there - but also things we need to improve on."

Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler:

"It doesn't matter whether it is the Premier League or the FA Cup, winning is always a good feeling and it was good to have it again.

"It is good for confidence and hopefully we can now take this into the Premier League.

"I thought we struggled a bit for the first 15 to 20 minutes and Norwich had their one big chance when they hit the post.

"But then we got into our stride, played some good football and scored some good goals.

"We have played a lot recently so I put out what I thought was our freshest side and I thought they did a good job."

What's coming up?

• Norwich fixtures
• Brighton fixtures
• FA Cup fixtures & results

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