Marco Silva's Everton storm to incredible 22-0 victory over Austrian part-timers
In what was a spectacular mismatch from the off, Everton showed no mercy towards minnows ATV Irdning, cruising to a sensational 22-0 victory over their opposition, who currently ply their trade in the fifth division of Austrian football.
Having only joined the club in May, this was Marco Silva's first match in charge of the English Premier League side, and played a strong lineup despite the significant gulf in class, with the likes of Ademola Lookman, Cenk Tosun, Seamus Coleman, Leighton Baines and Tom Davies all in the starting eleven.
Lookman ended up grabbing a hattrick in the match, with both Tosun and substitute Oumar Niasse netting four goals. But Kevin Mirallas was the top scorer in the game, going one better by hitting five, despite only coming off the bench at half time.
To beat any side 22-0 in a 90 minute match is quite the achievement, but Marco Silva was keen to point out that, while the goals were pleasing, building up match fitness was the most crucial aspect of the match.
Whether there was much merit to playing such an obscure opposition just a month before the Premier League season begins remains up for debate, but goals breed confidence, and few managers will enjoy a better start to their reign at a new club.
