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England's main losers as Southgate flirts with Nations League relegation

mirror.co.uk, 14 June 2022, 20:42
The Three Lions welcomed Hungary to the Molineux as they searched for their first win of their respective UEFA Nations League campaign but failed in humiliating fashion

England took on Hungary at the Molineux as they looked to end their winless run in the latest UEFA Nations League effort.

Gareth Southgate has never overseen a winless run of four games since taking over at the Three Lions helm and was in danger of ending that record going into the clash in Wolverhampton. Southgate's worst fears were realised when Roland Sallai put the visitors in front inside the opening 25 minutes after some woeful set-piece defending from England.

The fixture marked the fourth England game inside 11 days and the fatigue from certain players was obvious. There was a clear lack of pace in transition and Southgate's players tired dramatically as the contest went on.

The 46th minute of the game marked six hours since England scored their last goal from open play. Things went from bad to worse when Sallai doubled his tally and Hungary's advantage in the 70th minute.

Defeat, mixed with Germany's win against Italy means Southgate's side are one more loss away from Nations League relegation. By the time Zsolt Nagy fired home Hungary's third a chorus of boos rung out from the England faithful.

Daniel Gazdag added a fourth to render England to their worst defeat in over a decade.

Mirror Football has taken a look at the main losers from the game against Hungary that raises even more questions about England's World Cup hopes.

Loser - Gareth Southgate

The loss marked the first time during Southgate's reign that England have gone four games without a win and this was by far the most damning result of the lot.

Handing Hungary just their second-ever win on English soil, fans chanted 'you don't know what you are doing' in the direction of the dug-out.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Will England get relegated from the UEFA Nations League? Comment below

Southgate could only watch on helplessly as England were on the wrong end of their worst result in 12 years. The Three Lions barely threatened throughout the entire contest.

There are now just two games between now and England's opening World Cup game in Qatar and they are in danger of quashing any momentum beforehand.

Loser - John Stones

Without Harry Maguire by his side, John Stones struggled with the more physical attributes of the contest against Hungary.

The first half saw Stones lose plenty of aerial duels and as a result, the opponents targeted the Manchester City defender when they couldn't play through the England press.

It was Stones inability to head the free-kick away that started the passage of play leading to Hungary's opener - raising further question marks over his ability to deal with that rougher side of the game on the international stage.

Stones was the first player to be sent off for England in 27 games when he was handed a second yellow late on in the second half.

Loser - Jarrod Bowen

The West Ham talisman found it extremely difficult to get into the game out on the right-flank. Despite the fact that Saka was deployed in his less familiar position on the opposite wing, it still felt as if England's players trusted him more than Bowen.

One of England's better chances landed on the head of the former Hull City forward, but he was leaning back and failed to convert before Hungary's first-half opener.

Minutes after the game's first goal, Bowen then scuppered a decent counter attacking opportunity for England and he failed to sort his feet out in time to play in Kane.

Bowen was hooked off at half-time in place of Raheem Sterling.

Overall, a night to forget for the Hammers star in what was just his second Three Lions outing.

Loser- Kalvin Phillips

The midfielder endured an injury hit tail-end of the most recent Premier League season and looked some way off the standard he so regularly sets himself at Leeds.

Much of England's lack of creativity stemmed from the fact that Hungary viewed each time Phillips was in possession as the trigger to go and start yet another relentless press. They were successful in stifling the 26-year-old.

He was also guilty of losing his man for Hungary's first goal, as it was Phillips who allowed Roland Sallai enough space to emphatically fire beyond Aaron Ramsdale from close range.

Phillips has recently been the subject of rumours linking him with a move to one of the Premier League's big-hitters like the two Manchester clubs - yet neither would have been particularly been impressed with the unadventurous passing that was on show against Hungary.

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