The Toffees surrendered three goals in 20 minutes as they crashed out of Europe.
All the focus is on whether caretaker manager David Unsworth is the right man to replace Ronald Koeman or whether they should appoint an outsider to save their season.
But this is a squad without confidence and looking like they lack the mental strength needed to turn this disastrous season around, not to mention missing Romelu Lukaku for the few chances they get.
Bertrand Traore, Houssem Aouar and former Manchester United man Memphis Depay scored the goals as Everton depart the Europa League with two group games to go.
A bad night was made worse by Morgan Schneiderlin’s foolish red card and, more worryingly, Cuco Martina leaving the stadium on a stretcher after suffering a neck injury.
“The mentality must be stronger and we must have the courage to be strong when we go behind and stick together,” said Unsworth, who now accepts Sunday’s Premier League clash with Watford is his final chance to land the job.
The mentality must be stronger and we must have the courage to be strong when we go behind and stick together
Everton caretaker boss David Unsworth
He added: “We can’t have players playing as individuals and making silly mistakes, we have to remain positive and stay together.”
An impressive showing here would have done no harm for Unsworth’s job prospects with the likes of Sam Allardyce and Burnley manager Sean Dyche also under consideration but it is all on Watford now after three defeats in three.
Lyon were the more positive side at the start with Traore and Nabil Fekir forcing saves from goalkeeper Jordan Pickford before worrying scenes saw Martina taken off on a stretcher with a neck brace on.
The full-back had fallen hard on the back of his head and neck after going up for a challenge and appeared to be out cold for a few moments when he hit the floor.
On reports that Martina had problems with the feeling in his legs, Unsworth said: “I’m not too sure, the report from the doctor was that he was complaining of pains in his neck and he was concussed.
“He has gone straight to hospital for X-rays and scans so we wish him all the best.”
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Gylfi Sigurdsson had earlier had Everton’s only real chance of the half but he fluffed it on another uninspiring display from the £45million man, albeit in an unfamiliar lone striker role.
Idrissa Gueye almost put the visitors in front after the break when he had a low strike saved by Anthony Lopes.
But in the 68th minute, the hosts were in front when Tanguy Ndombele slid Traore in and he rounded Pickford before slotting home.
Everton were already heading out and substitute Aouar ensured it with a second in the 76th minute after Depay cutely played him in.
And Everton’s miserable night was made worse when Schneiderlin was sent off for a second bookable offence when, frustratingly, he tripped Maxwel Comet.
The suffering was not over as Depay got on the scoresheet himself with two minutes to go as he headed home Jordan Ferri’s cross.
Everton are now out of the Europa League, out of the Carabao Cup and in the Premier League’s relegation zone and it is only November 3.
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