Everton slump to humiliating home defeat

Everton rounded off a miserable Europa League campaign in dismal fashion last night with a 5-1 home defeat by Atalanta.

The Merseyside club, still seeking a new permanent manager since the sacking of Ronald Koeman last month, finished bottom of Group E with only one point from their six matches.

Bryan Cristante’s double for the Italian side put Everton two goals behind before Sandro Ramirez pulled one back for the Toffees.

But Robin Gosens and an Andreas Cornelius double completed a humiliating night for caretaker boss David Unsworth’s side, whose only bright spot was Joel Robles’ save from Alejandro Gomez’s penalty.

Earlier, Arsenal fell to a narrow defeat at Cologne but will still progress into the knockout stages Europa League as Group H winners.

On an uninspiring evening at the Rheinenergiestadion, the Bundesliga’s bottom club secured a 1-0 win through Sehrou Guirassy’s secondhalf penalty to keep their own qualification hopes alive.

On the back of a moraleboosting victory over north London neighbours Tottenham at the weekend, Arsene Wenger’s second string could not maintain the feelgood factor for long.

The defeat ended a perfect run in this competition so far this season but, following a draw between Red Star Belgrade and BATE Borisov in the group’s other game, the Gunners will finish top.