Brighton thump Tromso to book place in Conference League draw

Brighton and Hove Albion vs Tromso. UEFA Conference League Qualifying Play-offs.

Report as Brighton qualify for the league phase of the Conference League by beating Norwegian side Tromso in second leg at the Amex; Seagulls were held in the Arctic Circle in the first leg but scored three in the first half on Thursday and can now look forward to Friday's draw

Brighton produced another storming first-half display to blow away Tromso and book their place in the league phase draw of the Conference League with a 4-0 win at the Amex.

The Seagulls were 4-0 up against Aston Villa at the break on Sunday in the Premier League and bagged three by the interval against their Norwegian visitors here to put themselves on course for a place in Friday's draw. Olivier Boscagli then ensured it was back-to-back 4-0 wins with a late deflected drive.

The Conference League draw for the league phase takes place on Friday lunchtime. It will follow the Europa League draw which is scheduled for 12pm UK time. The Conference League league phase kicks off on October 15.

The Seagulls were superb from the first whistle, overwhelming Tromso who had held them to a 0-0 draw in the Arctic Circle last week, with Charalampos Kostoulas, Maxim De Cuyper and Mats Wieffer on target in a first 45 which could easily have brought more goals.

The second half, as on Sunday, saw Brighton struggle to add to their tally but continue to boss possession. Kostoulas will be kicking himself not to have bagged many more on a night chances continually came his way but Boscagli eventually got himself on the scoresheet after he had earlier been denied by the offside flag.

Fabian Hurzeler's side have made a storming start to this season and can now look forward to the Conference League draw and then Sunday's trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea, which is live on Sky Sports.

Brighton made just two changes from the side which started the 4-0 win over Aston Villa, with Matt O'Riley and Charalampos Kostoulas coming into the XI. Georginio Rutter and Jack Hinshelwood were not involved.

5: OVERHEAD! Charalampos Kostoulas goes for the spectacular early on from just inside the Tromso box but sends his bicycle kick off target.

22: GOAL! Kostoulas slams in to cap a dominant start from Brighton. Maxim De Cuyper wins the ball back high up the pitch and it breaks for Kostoulas, who turns, drives towards the edge of the box and then fires into the far bottom corner.

32: HUGE CHANCE! How's Pascal Gross not scored?! He couldn't get his feet sorted for De Cuyper's cutback from close range.

33: GOAL! Tromso are caught out trying to play out, as De Cuyper robs sub Leon Hien in the box and sticks the ball past Jakob Haugaard. So easy!

38: GOAL! Mats Wieffer whacks in a third! He's involved earlier in the move before switching play and when it comes back to him he's in space and able to easily convert.