Gareth Southgate reacts to England’s humiliating 4-0 defeat against Hungary

Gareth Southgate has taken responsibility for England’s humbling 4-0 defeat to Hungary in the UEFA Nations League on Tuesday night and has urged supporters to stand by the team.

The Three Lions went behind after just 16 minutes following some poor set-piece defending, with Roland Sallai firing past Aaron Ramsdale, and the home side offered little threat of levelling the scores in a subdued and lethargic display.

With England struggling to find any cohesion, Hungary deservedly doubled their lead in the 70th minute through Sallai again – who had only netted four times in the Bundesliga in the entirety of last season – before the flood gates opened.

More lacklustre defending saw the ball laid back to Zsolt Nagy, who fired in a powerful, fizzing effort from the edge of the box, before John Stones was sent off for an incredibly soft second yellow card.

The embarrassment did not end there for England, though, with Daniel Gazdag darting in behind in the 89th minute to dink the ball over Ramsdale to inflict the heaviest home defeat on the Three Lions since a 5-1 loss to Scotland in 1928.

England have now failed to win their last four matches – their worst run since Roy Hodgson was in charge – and are approaching seven hours without a goal from open play, while they also risk getting relegated in the Nations League after collecting just two points so far.

Fans booed England off the pitch and there were chants of ‘You don’t know what you’re doing’ at full-time, but Southgate has defended his players and is adamant he is still the right man to lead England at the World Cup.

He told Channel 4: ‘I understand the reaction in the stadium, what I would say is that this group of players have been unbelievable for the country and it’s important