Second-half performance secures win for England

England 3 Hungary 1

England put an unconvincing opening 45 minutes behind them to comfortably dispose of Hungary in their penultimate World Cup warm-up international, against Hungary at Old Trafford tonight.

England had been below-par during the first half with their new-look formation although Frank Lampard had a penalty saved by Hungarian ’keeper Gabor Kiraly.

Matters improved for the English after the interval with birthday boy Steven Gerrard and John Terry scoring in quick succession from David Beckham free-kicks.

But Hungarian skipper Pal Dardai pulled one back from long range and it needed a fine save from Paul Robinson to deny Laszlo Eger before Peter Crouch settled the issue with six minutes remaining.