Brighton made an emphatic return to winning ways as they beat Norwich 4-0 to progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The Seagulls had not won any of their last eight games, six of which had ended in a draw, but it was a different story at Carrow Road as they found the net against their Championship hosts.

Two goals late in the first half from Georginio Rutter set the Premier League side on their way to a comfortable victory before Julio Enciso and substitute Solly March struck after the break to highlight the gulf between the two sides

Norwich got off to a decent start and almost took the lead after 15 minutes when Amankwah Forson, the goal-scoring hero of last week’s dramatic win over Coventry, hit a post from 25 yards.

But the Premier League visitors gradually gained control and Rutter saved two shots on goal before finally giving his team the lead eight minutes before half-time.

While the Dutch striker lurked at the back post, fellow Dutchman Joel Veltman delivered an inch-perfect cross from the right, which was powerfully headed past George Long from close range.

Georginio Rutter’s brace inspired the Seagulls to a routine 4-0 away win over Norwich City in the FA Cup

Norwich failed to do well and struggled to make the most of their chances

Two goals from Rutter towards the end of the first half put the Premier League team on their way to a comfortable victory

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

Yankuba Minteh set up the chance with a quick break through the middle and an accurate pass, and although Rutter’s shot appeared to be on target, it took a big deflection off Doyle to beat the keeper.

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

A slip by half-time substitute Brad Hills allowed Enciso to win the ball and burst into the box before beating Long from a tight angle and the ball flicked past the far post.

In the 74th minute, March created a magical moment and made it 4-0 by spectacularly shooting the ball into the goal after being whistled on the right by substitute Brajan Gruda.

Brighton scored the crucial third goal of the game just before the hour mark to take complete control

The Seagulls had not won any of their last eight games, six of which ended in a draw

Replays suggested March may have netted from an offside position, but with no VAR in use the goal stood.

With the game long since lost, the Canaries brought their key striker Josh Sargent back onto the pitch in the final stages after a long injury layoff – but that was their only bright spot on a gloomy afternoon.