Everton's woes deepen as Atalanta hit five

Everton's struggles continued as Atalanta secured their place in the last 32 of the Europa League with a thumping 5-1 win at Goodison Park.

The Blues were already out of the running in Group E heading into the contest, with caretaker boss David Unsworth calling for a show of pride and a performance that would help sway an unconvinced hierarchy that he can do the job on a full-time basis.

Unfortunately for the former Toffees defender, his side fell apart as the Italians took control courtesy of a double from Bryan Cristante.

Tom Davies saw an attempt cleared off the line, but the visitors were always a cut above with Joel Robles keeping the Blues in it with a second-half penalty save from Alejandro Gomez.

Sandro Ramirez reduced the arrears with his first for the club, but it wasn't to be, as late strikes from substitutes Robin Gosens and Andreas Cornelius (2) left the Merseysiders to lament a fourth defeat under Unsworth and one that must surely end his hopes of making his stay in the dugout permanent.

The result means Atalanta and Lyon have both qualified from the pool and will battle it out for top spot when they go head to head in Italy on December 7. Everton will end a hugely disappointing European campaign at Apollon Limassol, hoping to pick up a first win that would see them avoid a bottom-placed finish.

Everton need to act - now. The Blues have won just once in their last 11 matches in all competitions. They lie in 16th place in the Premier League, just three points above the dropzone, and are out of Europe and the League Cup. Unsworth has tasted victory in just one of his six matches in charge and it's become quite clear he isn't the man to restore order and steady the ship. The reported pursuit of Marco Silva has dragged on and the club can't afford to bide their time any longer. They visit 14th-placed Southampton next before hosting former manager, David Moyes' West Ham at Goodison. The first Merseyside derby of the season is also on the horizon and most Toffees fans will want immediate action after this shambolic loss.

Bryan Cristante (Atalanta). Put his side in control with a classy brace to cap a fine all-round display.

EVERTON: Robles 7, Kenny 5, Keane 5, Williams 4, Martina 5, Davies 6, Baningime 7, Klaassen 5, Mirallas 6, Ramirez 6, Rooney 5. Subs: Vlasic 5, Feeney 5, Calvert-Lewin 5.

ATALANTA: Berisha 7; Toloi 8, Palomino 7, Masiello 7, Hateboer 7, Cristante 8, de Roon 7, Freuler 7, Castagne 8; Petagna 7, Gomez 7. Subs: Caldara 7, Gosens 7, Cornelius n/a.

12' - GOAL! Everton 0-1 Atalanta. Timothy Castagne powers down the right, ghosts past his marker and plays it across for Bryan Cristante to tap home. The Blues defence was all over the place there.

30' - EVERTON CHANCE. Mirallas strides into the right of the area and forces a smart save out of Berisha. The rebound falls for Sandro who blazes over from 10 yards with the goal gaping.

38' - OFF THE LINE! Toloi somehow gets in the way of Davies' drive to nod clear after the Everton midfielder had taken a nice touch to control Martina's left-wing cross and let fly.

49' - ATALANTA PENALTY SAVED. Robles keeps out a penalty from Gomez and then stops the follow up - a brilliant double save! The ball bounces around the Everton box, but they somehow survive. It's a big let off for the hosts after Williams had desperately hacked down Cristante as he powered into the box.

64' - GOAL! Everton 0-2 Atalanta. A left-wing corner is met by Cristante who nods in at the near post.

71' - GOAL! Everton 1-2 Atalanta. Sandro snares his first goal for the Blues with a low drive across the keeper after Mirallas had picked him out from the right.

86' - GOAL! Everton 1-3 Atalanta. The left-wing corner is headed clear only as far as Gosens who shows brilliant technique to volley in off the post from the edge of the area.

88' - GOAL! Everton 1-4 Atalanta. Too easy. Cornelius takes a pass in his stride, cuts inside from the left of the area and rolls it past Robles.

90+4' - GOAL! Everton 1-5 Atalanta. Cornelius nods in from the corner. Unsworth's hopes of the job are surely over.

Everton have conceded at least once in each of their last 12 games in all competitions, including in all six under David Unsworth.

Sandro Ramirez scored his first competitive goal for Everton on his 13th appearance for the club in all competitions.

Everton have not won any of their last six European encounters (D2 L4).

This was only Atalanta's second ever win away from home in Europe, and their first since 1990-91.