Everton manager Ronald Koeman has blamed himself for his side's 3-0 hammering by Atalanta, calling it a big lesson for the Premier League side on their return to European football.

Andrea Masiello, Alejandro Gomez and Bryan Cristante struck at the Stadio Citta del Tricolore on Thursday as Everton, back in the Europa League after three years, failed to respond.

Koeman, who wanted his side to react strongly after a 3-0 Premier League loss to Tottenham Hotspur over the weekend, said he would not blame his players for their latest defeat.

"It is a big lesson tonight," Koeman told the club website (www.evertonfc.com) after Thursday's loss