Everton 1-5 Atalanta

Everton were thrashed in front of their second lowest attendance ever in European competition

Everton were thrashed 5-1 by Atalanta in the Europa League at a less-than-half-full Goodison Park.

The Toffees had already been eliminated before the game but caretaker manager David Unsworth selected a strong side featuring Wayne Rooney, Kevin Mirallas and Ashley Williams.

The Italian visitors went ahead after 12 minutes, midfielder Bryan Cristante converting from close range after Ashley Williams' weak clearance.

With just 17,431 people watching, Everton goalkeeper Joel Robles saved Alejandro Gomez's penalty and follow-up early in the second half but Atalanta doubled their lead through Cristante's second.

Sandro Ramirez scored his first goal for the Toffees to cut the deficit but substitute Robin Gosens' well-struck dipping volley beat Robles before Danish striker Andreas Cornelius' brace made it worse as Atalanta sealed qualification to the knockout stage.

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Robles saves Everton from total humiliation

When Cristante struck the opener, it was the 16th time Everton had conceded first in their past 18 games.

No wonder the small crowd present barely groaned. With summer signing Michael Keane again struggling throughout and Williams slow and clumsy, only second-choice goalkeeper Robles' heroics prevented an even more humiliating scoreline.

He saved Gomez's penalty after Williams' wild challenge on Cristante and acrobatically kept out Martin de Roon's goal-bound header.

Ramirez's goal prompted an improved spell from Everton, with 19-year-old midfielder Beni Baningime leading the attempted revival.

But three Atalanta goals from the 86th minute completed a miserable night for the hosts as the Italians secured their first away victory of the season.

The end of the audition?

A no-nonsense left-back during his Everton career, Unsworth has been unable to instil a similar steel in the club's current defenders

Unsworth, who took temporary charge after Everton sacked Ronald Koeman in October, has made no secret of his desire to keep the job.

A boyhood supporter, he helped the club win their last trophy with 1995's FA Cup victory, but his hopes of leading the Merseysiders into a new era are rapidly fading.

Owner Farhad Moshiri appears to have failed in an attempt to prise Marco Silva from Watford, and will have to redouble his efforts to find the right man after this.

Unsworth has proven to be a fine youth coach, winning the league last season with the club's under-23s, but may now be deemed too inexperienced at this level.

Four defeats from his six games in charge, and not a clean sheet in sight, has not made for a compelling audition.

Unsworth makes all the right noises about understanding the club's history and fan base, but the pressure is growing on Moshiri and chairman Bill Kenwright to find a manager who can turn their increasingly shambolic season around.

'Complete and utter shambles' - analysis

BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty

Bill Kenwright prides himself on being a great salesman - best of luck selling the idea David Unsworth should be given the job until the end of the season.

Everton's search for a manager has lost its way so badly I half expect Ronald Koeman to be offered it before long.

And I should add that is not actually a criticism of Unsworth - he is an under-23 coach with no managerial experience. He's in the middle of a managerial search that is a complete and utter shambles.

Social media reaction

Goodison was notable for its empty seats as Everton's woeful Europa League campaign got even worse

Former Independent sports writer Brian Viner: Everton humiliated again. Not even Shakespeare could write a tragedy in which so much optimism evaporates so quickly. William, that is. Craig might have a bash.

Matt Robinson: Unsworth is drowning, players out of position, no consistency. Conceding goals. Really worrying now.

Joseph McClarnon: Even if we haven't got a manager to appoint full time we need a new caretaker.

Worst in 21 years - the stats

• Everton suffered the heaviest home defeat for an English club in the Uefa Cup/Europa League since March 1996 (Nottingham Forest 1-5 Bayern Munich).

• Everton have won just a point in the Europa League this term; only one English club has picked up as few from their opening five group games in either the Champions League or Europa League (Blackburn in 1995-96).

• Everton have now conceded two or more goals in eight straight games in all competitions. The last time that happened was part of a nine-match run from April to September 1994.

• It was only the 27th time in Everton's history they have conceded five or more goals at home.