HUNGAR SHAMES

A massive embarrassment for shocked Southgate as his Lions suffer a four-goal mauling

THE longest honeymoon is finally over for Gareth Southgate.

England were humiliated at Molineux, outplayed and outwitted by Hungary for the second time in 11 days, as Southgate’s men were brought crashing down to earth.

Beaten by a team ranked 40th in the world, below Scotland, and the crowd really began to turn on Southgate as loud boos rang out with a chorus of “You don’t know what you’re doing” after the third goal went in.

“We want Southgate out,” chants followed the fourth as England were systematically taken apart by Hungary and suffered their worst home defeat since 1928.

It was compounded by John Stones being sent off in the 82nd minute – albeit harshly for a second yellow – but that just about summed up England’s night.

It was an evening when Southgate, who has enjoyed so many good times after reaching the World Cup semi-finals and the Euros final last summer, was given a brutal reminder of just how tough the impossible job can be.

England have now gone six hours – four games – without a goal from open play and this is the worst run of results since 2014, which saw Roy Hodgson’s men return home from the World Cup before the postcards.

Make no mistake, Southgate is now facing the biggest crisis of his six-year reign and, after insisting last week he would not outstay his welcome, he may live to regret being quite so bullish.

Incredibly, England are facing the humiliating prospect of being relegated from Nations League Group A3. It is the competition England could have done without at the end of the season and also might be the one which will haunt Southgate (left).

The Three Lions boss looked shellshocked at the final whistle, not knowing quite what to do or where to look. These are unquestionably the darkest days of his England reign and a large section of the fans have already turned against him. This was supposed to be the night when England turned the campaign around but it started badly after 16 minutes – and only got worse from there.

Hungary’s Dominik Szoboszlai swung over a freekick from the left, Stones failed to clear, Harry Kane missed a clearance and there was Roland Sallai to smash home. A despairing Aaron Ramsdale got a hand to the ball but could not keep it out.

Szoboszlai’s set-pieces were causing havoc and England could so easily have gone further behind but for Reece James heading another

free-kick off the line. The hosts looked half asleep.

Jarrod Bowen was out of his depth and was subbed at half time, Conor Gallagher followed soon after in the second half. England went to a back three but that only smacked of desperation and not knowing what they were doing.

It got even worse for the Three Lions after 70 minutes. Kalvin Phillips, who looked so far off the pace, was caught horribly in possession, Martin Adam set up Sallai and the Hungary forward thumped his second past Ramsdale.

Zsolt Nagy scored a third after 80 minutes, by which time the England fans were in open revolt. Stones saw red two minutes later for a second yellow card, a harsh decision as he barely touched Daniel Gazdag.

And it was Gazdag who made it 4-0 on 89 minutes after England’s defence was carved wide open. It sent the Hungary fans into delight as they celebrated a famous victory on a painful night for the Three Lions and Southgate.

The chants descended into “You’re getting sacked in the morning”. Now Southgate is facing a very tough six months in the build-up to the World Cup.