Two goals each from Bryan Cristante and Andreas Cornelius and one for Robin Gosens made it 11 defeats from the last 17 league and cup games for Everton.

Three of the goals came in the last five minutes to underline Everton’s humiliation. Their sole aim now must, surely, be to make a decision over their managerial vacancy and ensure Premier League safety.

Their miserable European misadventure struck another sour note after 12 minutes of this game.

Timothy Castagne beat Cuco Martina for pace down the right flank, then a simple dummy left defender Michael Keane rooted to the spot.

His cross was deflected by Ashley Williams, but only as far as Cristante who finished clinically from eight yards despite a relatively crowded penalty area.

It was a goal that summed up so many of Everton’s problems in this most trying of seasons that cost Ronald Koeman his job and which has yet to see his permanent successor in place.

But whatever criticisms could be levelled at caretaker boss David Unsworth, the former defender could certainly not be accused of making light of his responsibility to this tournament. He named a side packed with experience.

But the fact that Everton’s interest in the competition has long since ended was reflected in a poor crowd that was drowned out by more than 3,000 travelling Italians.

The first Atalanta goal instantly sucked any confidence out of Everton and the Italians began to take a grip.

The lively Gomez drilled a free-kick straight at Joel Robles and Martina’s woes continued at left-back with Atalanta constantly attacking the Everton flank through the pace and trickery of Castagne.

Everton stemmed the tide briefly when Ramirez sent Kevin Mirallas through. But the Belgian took a poor touch and his shot was saved by Etrit Berisha and a promising attack ended with Ramirez shooting well over from the rebound.

Two minutes into the second half Williams conceded a penalty that should have seen Atalanta put the game out of sight even earlier when he made an ill-timed challenge on Cristante.

Robles, at least, gave the home supporters something to cheer about as he dived to save Gomez’s spot kick, then recovered superbly to block a follow-up shot from the same player.

The visitors doubled their lead on 63 minutes with Cristante twisting to guide a backward header into the goal at the near post from a Gomez corner.

But Ramirez swept in a shot from 15 yards after being picked out by Mirallas eight minutes later.

The glimmer of hope disappeared when Gosens volleyed home from 20 yards in the 86th minute. Cornelius made it 4-1 two minutes later and completed the rout in added time.

EVERTON (4-2-3-1): Robles; Kenny (Feeney 69), Williams, Keane, Martina; Baningime, Davies; Mirallas (CalvertLewinat 79), Rooney, Klaassen (Vlasic 62); Ramirez. Booked: Williams, Martina, Davies, Calvert-Lewin. Goal: Ramirez 71.

ATALANTA (3-5-2): Berisha; Topoi, Palomino, Masiello (Caldara 61); Castagne, Cristante (Cornelius 82), De Roon, Freuler, Hateboer (Gosens 70); Petagna, Gomez. Goals: Cristante 12, 63, Gosens 86, Cornelius 88, 90.

Referee: J Kehlet (Denmark)