Brighton ease past Tromso to secure Conference League spot

Brighton booked their place in the Conference League league phase with a comfortable 4-0 playoff victory over Tromso at the Amex Stadium.

Albion had work to do in Thursday evening's second leg after failing to capitalise on 25 attempts at goal during last week's 0-0 draw in Norway.

Fabian Hurzeler's Seagulls were far more ruthless on home soil, with first-half finishes from Charalampos Kostoulas, Maxim De Cuyper and Mats Wieffer putting them firmly in control of the tie.

Olivier Boscagli added a deflected fourth late on to seal a place in Friday's draw on the back of Sunday's thumping 4-0 Premier League win over Aston Villa.

Ahead of kick-off, Brighton unveiled Algeria left-back Jaouen Hadjam following his move from Swiss champions Young Boys, before a minute's applause was held in memory of former Seagulls manager Mike Bailey, who died last week aged 84.

Albion made two changes to the side which started against Villa, with Kostoulas and midfielder Matt O'Riley replacing injured pair Georginio Rutter and Jack Hinshelwood.

The Seagulls dominated from the first whistle and went ahead in the 22nd minute.

De Cuyper dispossessed right-back Isak Dahlquist deep inside Tromso territory, giving Kostoulas the chance to turn and fire a first-time finish into the bottom-right corner from 20 yards for his first goal since January.

The visitors repeatedly invited pressure with risky attempts to play out from the back and, after a couple of narrow escapes, were punished again in the 33rd minute.

Substitute Leon Hien -- an early replacement for the injured Vetle Skjaervik -- was left exposed inside his own 18-yard box following a short goal-kick. De Cuyper capitalised on the situation, seizing possession and slotting home to add to his goal at the weekend.

"Are you Villa in disguise?" rang around the ground five minutes later as Brighton added a third.

Boscagli's low cross from the left flicked up off Kostoulas' heels into the path of advancing right-back Wieffer, who took a touch before lashing the ball into the bottom-left corner.

With an eye on Sunday's top-flight trip to Chelsea, Brighton head coach Hurzeler brought on summer signings Pascal Struijk and Costinha in place of captain Lewis Dunk and Wieffer at the break.

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The second period followed a similar pattern to the weekend clash with Villa when Brighton controlled proceedings without needing to push for further goals.

French defender Boscagli saw a close-range finish ruled out for offside after Tromso goalkeeper Jakob Haugaard parried Pascal Gross' initial effort before substitute Ibrahim Osman went close.

Boscagli was not to be denied and completed the scoring four minutes from time.

After Gross' attempted cross from the right was partially cleared, the left-back took a touch before unleashing a low shot from just outside the penalty box which fizzed home via a touch off Dahlquist and the base of the right post.