Lyon 3-0 Everton: Bertrand Traore, Houssem Aouar and Memphis Depay strike to send 10-man lacklustre Toffees crashing out of Europe

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There is a song that has been sung by Evertonians for years, one with lyrics that sound more like a battle cry.

The fans tell the players how they 'will fight, fight, fight with all our might for the boys in the Royal Blue jersey'; that line must be remembered when you consider how Everton surrendered their place in Europe and, effectively, destroyed David Unsworth's hopes of becoming manager.

Briefly, it seemed as if Everton would restore some calm in Lyon to this most turbulent season. For an hour, the game plan Unsworth had concocted would gain reward but then, as has been the case so often these last three ruinous months, the world fell in.  

A smiling Memphis Depay celebrates after scoring a third and cementing victory for Lyon

The former Manchester United man cast the final blow as a Everton side lacking fight were sent crashing out of Europe

Houssem Aouar races off with his arms outstretched after curling home Lyon's second of the match on 74 minutes

The midfielder laps up the adoration of the home supporters by knee sliding towards the corner flag following his strike

To add salt to the wound Everton were reduced to 10 men late on after Morgan Schneiderlin picked up a second yellow

Players remained to clap supporters by the situation at Everton is now dire, with form and team spirit at an all time low

The pressure is now on caretaker boss David Unsworth who was hoping to use the games in charge as a platform to get the job

MATCH FACTS, PLAYER RATINGS AND MATCH ZONE

LYON (4-2-3-1): Lopes 6; Rafael 6, Marcelo 7, Diakhaby 7, Mendy 6: Tousart 7, Ndombele 7; Cornet 7, Fekir 8 (Aouar 62mins 7), Depay 7.5; Traore 8 

Subs not used: Gorgelin (GK), Aouar, Diaz, Ferri, Morel, Marcal, Tete

Goals: Traore (67), Aouar (76), Depay (88)

Booked: Aouar

Manager: Bruno Genesio 7

EVERTON (4-3-3): Pickford 7; Kenny 5, Holgate 5, Williams 5, Martina 6 (Besic 43mins 5); Baningime 6, Gueye 5 (Calvert-Lewin 61mins 6), Schneiderlin 4; Lennon 5 (Vlasic 71mins 5), Sigurdsson 5.5, Lookman 6 

Subs not used: Robles (GK), Mirallas, Klaassen, Feeney 

Booked: Lennon, Schneiderlin

Sent off: Schneiderlin

Manager: David Unsworth 6

Referee: Orel Grinfeld (Israel)   

How former Manchester United man Memphis Depay capped off victory for Lyon with a third goal. CLICK HERE for more from MATCH ZONE.

 

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In the space of 21 minutes, Everton were dismantled, the manner in which they collapsed. There was no fight, fight, fight as the goals poured in; they were just weak, weak, weak, allowing Lyon to expose the mental fragility of those who were brought in to kick-start a new era for the club.

'Whatever team I am coaching, I always say you all come together for five to 10 minutes and don't concede again,' said Unsworth, who looked shattered. 'We can't just cave in like that. You can't defend like that and hope to win a game. It was so disappointing.'

Here was a night as dispiriting as any they have endured this season, one exacerbated by a horrible injury to Cuco Martina; the full-back having been stretchered off unconscious after falling awkwardly when challenging for a high ball in the first half. He was later discharged from hospital.

'He was concussed and complaining of pains in his neck,' said Unsworth. 'Hopefully he will be with us soon.'

The objective here, first and foremost, was to restore some confidence and avoid defeat at all costs. Unsworth's mantra beforehand had been bullish – 'I want to win,' he insisted – but the pragmatic team he selected showed what he was really thinking.

It may have been odd to see Gylfi Sigurdsson, a £45million No 10, playing as central striker but this was not an evening for personal ambitions to get in the way. Unsworth needed everyone working in harmony. And for the first 45 minutes, to give Everton credit, they did exactly what he wanted.  

Former Chelsea man Bertrand Traore slips the ball under Jordan Pickford to open the scoring for Lyon

The big striker wheels away in celebration pointing to the skies after getting his side off the mark

Traore cut an emotional figure as his team-mates piled in to celebrate his goalscoring heroics

Cuco Martina receives urgent medical attention on the pitch after going up for a header and landing awkwardly on the ground

Concern for Martina immediately grew after the defender was unresponsive following his collision with Maxwel Cornet

The defender was placed onto a stretcher with a neck brace in place before being escorted off the pitch by medical staff

Beni Baningime dribbles his way through the Lyon midfield on a rare start in Everton colours

Aaron Lennon puts pressure on Ferland Mendy as he tries to play the ball across the defensive line

Cuco Martina battles for the ball with Lyon's Maxwel Cornet in the opening stages of the match

With such commitment, they were able to defend stoically. Lyon wanted to stretch the game and use the pace of their flying attackers Memphis Depay, Nabil Fekir, Bertrand Traore and Maxwell Cornet but Everton would not let them pass.

When they did, Lyon found Jordan Pickford in a mood where he refused to be beaten. His first contribution was a comfortable stop from Traore's glancing header in the 24th minute and he followed it up by beating away a Memphis free-kick (36 minutes) and a Traore drive (45 minutes).

His performance had helped provide some belief and Everton were much better in the second period, almost finding an immediate way through but Idrissa Gueye's shot was cleared off the line by Mouctar Diakhaby after Ademola Lookman had teed him up.

A goal at that point would have invigorated Everton and they believed they could find a way through, pressing forward more and more. Sigurdsson came close but his sweeping left-footed attempt curled too far wide after substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin created the space.

Yet, within a minute of it looking potentially very good, the world caved in. Lyon didn't have to work for it and a long ball up field caused panic, allowing Traore to steal in and waltz around Pickford to drive a dagger into Everton's fragile state.

Unsworth spun on his heels in frustration – they didn't deserve to be losing – but old bad habits quickly resurfaced and 1-0 swiftly became 2-0; another long ball and more panic in the defence preceded a super finish from substitute Houssam Aouar.

By now Everton had collapsed and when Schneiderlin was dismissed two bookings, you feared the worst and so it proved when Memphis added the third in the 88th minute. They now face Watford in a game they dare not lose.

'I've left the players in no uncertain terms it is a huge game for them as well,' said Unsworth. 'We have to find a way to win.' 

Earlier in the night Unsworth zipped up for a crucial evening of football, knowing his side must deliver a win in France

A pristine Stade de Lyon awaited the two sides as they prepared to lock horns for midweek Europa League action

Yet, within a minute of it looking potentially very good, the world caved in. Lyon didn't have to work for it and a long ball up field caused panic, allowing Traore to steal in and waltz around Pickford to drive a dagger into Everton's fragile state.

Unsworth spun on his heels in frustration – they didn't deserve to be losing – but old bad habits quickly resurfaced and 1-0 swiftly became 2-0; another long ball and more panic in the defence preceded a super finish from substitute Houssam Aouar.

By now Everton had collapsed and when Schneiderlin was dismissed two bookings, you feared the worst and so it proved when Memphis added the third in the 88th minute, insult being added to injury.