Watford boss Marco Silva has said that Everton manager Sam Allardyce is unable to make a direct comparison between their respective managerial records.

Allardyce has suggested that Silva - a target for the Toffees last month - does not deserve to be regarded on the same level as him due to Hull City's relegation last season.

However, Silva has hit back by questioning Allardyce's success during the early stages of his career, with the Portuguese having enjoyed excellent spells with Estoril, Sporting Lisbon and Olympiacos.

The 40-year-old is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "Go and see what [Allardyce] was doing when he was 40 years old, or see what he was doing in his first seven seasons as a coach.

"Then look at what I am doing at the same age - or you can wait until I am 63 years old, and then we can compare what I have done."

Allardyce began his reign as Everton boss with a 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town, and the Merseyside outfit now sit just four points behind the Hornets in the Premier League table.