World Cup qualifying: Hungary 0-4 England - win marred by racist chanting

1. England thrash Hungary to maintain 100% record in World Cup qualifying
2. Sterling, Kane, Maguire and Rice with the goals
3. Bellingham target of racist chanting from home supporters
4. Sterling pelted with drinks cups while celebrating his goal
5. Loud boos inside Puskas Arena as England players take the knee

It was a night marred by racism off the pitch, with the Hungary fans in Budapest subjecting England players to discriminatory chants.

We will hear a lot more about that over the next few days.

For now, though, let's focus on what was a superb display from England, who made a difficult game look simple courtesy of a controlled and ruthless display that leaves them with one foot in the World Cup finals...

Job done

It was a magnificent display. After controlling a largely chance-free first-half, they took Hungary apart in the second.

Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane, Harry Maguire and Declan Rice with the goals...

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Cups were thrown at the players by the home fans, but the England players dealt with it well...

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So, four wins out of four for England, who move to 12 points at the top, five points clear of Poland and Hungary.

Lovely.

England are now unbeaten in their last 25 World Cup qualifying matches (W19 D6), scoring 65 goals and conceding only eight since losing 1-0 to the Ukraine in October 2009.

Also lovely.

That is it from me. Night all.

Sterling effort

Raheem Sterling has been directly involved in 16 goals in his last 11 qualifying matches for the European Championships/World Cup (10 goals, 6 assists).

England have won all 14 matches in which Raheem Sterling has found the net, the best 100%-win ratio in matches scored in England’s entire history.

Rob Green

Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

This generation of England players have a different mindset.

They have so much abundance of enjoyment and you see that in how they conduct themselves in the media.

They are allowed to be more open, you see guys talking openly in the Olympics and the emotion that ours out there and then.

In the long term that is a lot better because players can deal with that and move on quicker.

There will be lasting effects on some players but others will dust themselves down and get back up.

Kane able

Harry Kane has scored in each of his last 13 appearances in qualifying matches for the European Championships/World Cup, scoring 17 goals. In 22 qualifiers, Kane has scored 23 goals and assisted eight more.

In England’s history, only Gary Lineker under Sir Bobby Robson (35 goals in 58 appearances) has ever netted more goals under a single manager than Harry Kane has under Gareth Southgate (34 goals in 45 appearances).

'We made a very difficult game quite comfortable'

BBC Radio 5 Live

England boss Gareth Southgate told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I was very pleased with the first half, we were in total control of the game, controlled possession and were playing the right types of passes, just not connecting in that final third. We had so much of the ball we knew they would tire, we had great chances to score more goals.

"The first couple of goals came from turnovers and quick counter-attacks, we used the ball well all night. There is not much between the two halves, they were open and the goals came. We have made a very difficult game look quite comfortable.

"It was definitely an incredible atmosphere and in a football sense the players kept the crowd quiet. I have heard reports of racism and we were not aware of that during the game. I am not sure we were particularly sensible celebrating right in front of their fans with the flare but the racism is the key part. We try to take a right stand, we knew taking the knee would get an adverse reaction and anything of that nature is unacceptable."

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'We stand together as a team'

Alex Howell

BBC Sport football reporter

I asked John Stones whether he heard the reported monkey chanting towards the England players and what the players felt about it. He replied:

"Personally I didn't hear it, but was told about it after. It's so sad to think about that this happens at our games. I hope UEFA or whoever needs to take care of it does. We stand together as a team and did do before the game and we will continue fighting for what we believe in as a team and what we think is right."

This 4-0 defeat was the heaviest Hungary have suffered at home in a World Cup qualifier, in what was their 118th such match.

'In a great position now'

BBC Radio 5 Live

England defender Harry Maguire tells BBC Radio 5 Live: "We knew it would be tight and cagey, a tough game but if you looked at their results from the Euros they did decent at half time. We knew the chances would come and when they did we took them.

"We knew the mentality of the squad would be tested after the disappointment of the Euros final. We are in a great position now and have a big game on Sunday and then Tuesday to stamp our authority on the group."

On boos when taking the knee: "It was disappointing to hear the boos but it has happened in previous games, we knew what to expect but I am happy all the boys stood by it."

On monkey chants: "I have spoken to a couple of lads, I did not hear them myself and if it did happen then I am disappointed. Three, four of us did not hear them but you guys can hear them more clearly on TV."

'Couldn't be better'

England

England captain Harry Kane, speaking to ITV Sport: "A fantastic result. This is a really tough place to come and we knew it would be a difficult game. Such a big game as well. We knew getting a result here would put us in a good position and one foot in the World Cup. Couldn't be better... 4-0 and a great night for us.

"We said to just keep moving the ball quick and get the ball out wide would be key. Opening the gaps and exploiting it. They got tired in the second half and we were able to capitalise by taking our chances when we needed to.

"Two more big games now. At home to Andorra, when we will be favourites. And then Poland away which will be like tonight. They have dropped some more points but if we can come away with two more wins we are pretty much there for qualification."

On the racist chants aimed at England players: "I didn't hear that. I will talk to the boys and see if they heard any of it. We will have to report it to Uefa as the rules permit. If that is the case, hopefully Uefa come down strong."

Elsewhere in Europe

It's all over now in tonight's World Cup qualifiers.

The biggest stories are Spain's defeat in Sweden and European champions Italy drawing 1-1 at home to Bulgaria.

Elsewhere, there were wins for Germany, Belgium, Czech Republic, Romania, Northern Ireland and Poland... and Andorra.

They beat fellow minnows San Marino 2-0 for the eighth win in their history.

Juliette Ferrington

BBC Radio 5 live at Puskas Arena

A fan has come on to the pitch, I assume it is a home fan, and stewards have piled on to him.

That was the area of the ground where the flare and cups were thrown.