IT’S AN ATA SHAMBLES!

New low for sorry Blues as they sink to their worst ever home Euro defeat

IT COMES to something when Everton are thankful they played in front of an almost empty Goodison.

At least there were fewer fans there to witness their latest humiliation as they were outplayed and outgunned by a side languishing 12th in Serie A.

Those vast swathes of empty seats offered the ultimate comment on a disastrous season so far – this was an 11th defeat in their last 17 matches.

There was nothing to play for, of course, with Everton already out of the Europa League, but there was pride surely, and that came from Atalanta as they cantered to victory.

The only expectation from the supporters was of a night in front of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here – which is no doubt what Wayne Rooney could reasonably have said to himself when asked to lead this shadow side.

If the fans didn’t want to be here – and why would they? – then it seemed at times like half the Everton team didn’t either.

Caretaker boss David Unsworth looked a beaten man on the sidelines – surely he will be put out of his misery now after Everton’s heaviest home defeat in Europe.

Atalanta were given far too much space in an opening half and took a deserved lead. In the 12th minute, Blues full-back Cuco Martina was turned too easily, and then winger Timothy Castagne repeated the trick on a stranded Michael Keane.

Ashley Williams did well to turn out the cross but, with the rest of the defence static, Bryan Cristante had time and space to roll in.

Everton looked ill at ease with their system, but they eventually worked it out sufficiently to have their moments going forward, with Tom Davies shooting over.

Kevin Mirallas also had a shot saved, and then Sandro Ramirez – given a chance after being banished to the margins – fired over in front of an open goal after his team-mate had another effort blocked.

That lulled Everton into a false sense of security, for which they almost paid dearly soon after the break when Williams, taking his admirable physical approach a little too far, took down Cristante.

Incredibly, stand-in keeper Joel Robles saved the spot kick from Alejandro Gomes, and then did even better to get up and beat away the follow up from the Italian skipper.

Yet still Atalanta exploited the acres of space, and Robles saved again, before Jonjoe Kenny cleared from the line as the impressive Cristante again got a sight of goal.

The second goal was inevitable, and arrived in typically embarrassing fashion, as Cristante popped up in front of Davies to head home a corner from close range. More chances followed, and then that minor miracle...a Sandro goal, his first for the club as he took a Mirallas cross and steered into the far corner.

Any chance of a comeback was ended when Robin Gosens made it 3-1 with a lovely finish, and Everton’s misery was complete when Andreas Cornelius, an £8million flop at Cardiff, scored twice in the closing stages.