Middlesbrough thrash Bolton 5-1 to move top of the Championship
Middlesbrough thrashed Bolton Wanderers 5-1 in a Friday night Championship fixture to move to the top of the table. The win came before any other clubs had played that weekend and was notable for the manner of Boro's performance as much as the scoreline.
Boro produced a dominant attacking display, registering 31 shots with 19 coming in the first half and 12 of those 31 on target, generating 4.16 expected goals (xG). The quality of chances was high, and Bolton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu denied Middlesbrough several further opportunities with a string of impressive saves.
Will Lankshear scored twice in the victory, taking his tally to 11 goals in 12 league games this season and reinforcing his growing reputation as the division's leading marksman.
Former Bolton manager Keith Hill, working as a pundit for BBC Radio Manchester, praised Middlesbrough and said: "Their creative players are artists and so gifted, and I'd go as far as saying that they work harder than almost any other Championship squad. "Middlesbrough were exceptional tonight, and if that is the bar in this league then they will finish in the top two. "I think the Bolton staff, players and fans know they've been beaten by the best team in the Championship."
Former Middlesbrough midfielder Neil Maddison told BBC Radio Tees: "If you take away the Bolton goal at the end of the first half, that was a five-star performance, without a shadow of doubt. "It slowed down a little in the second half, but it was a mature display, and I would say that it was, without question, the best performance under Kim Hellberg." He added of Lankshear: "Will Lankshear's movement was ridiculously good tonight, and he is a joy to watch. "In every game I've seen him in, he has learned to mix up how he plays. He's changing up his runs, coming deep, and he is getting better and better as the season goes on."
Lankshear, signed from Tottenham for an initial £10m in July, has 13 goals in all competitions for Middlesbrough this season and is four goals clear of Southampton's Cyle Larin at the top of the Championship goalscoring chart. He told BBC Radio Tees: "It probably could have been about 10, I should have scored a few more and the lads were outstanding. "You have two top wingers in Tommy [Conway] and Amario [Cozier-Duberry] and I just had to get in the box and tap it in. I'm very lucky and honoured to be part of such a great team. "It's some start, I can't sit here and try to be humble, it's something I had my eyes on."
Boro head coach Kim Hellberg highlighted Bolton's approach and his side's finishing, telling BBC Radio Tees: "I have to give Bolton credit because they were also trying to play and be aggressive and take control of the game. "Then the games can be open and for people watching, this is why football can be back and forth and we scored some absolutely brilliant goals. "There was a beauty in terms of how we played and how good we were around the box, and how many chances we created. "So many people contributed, including five from the bench, which also is a very positive thing, and just enjoying all that in front of our away fans. Unbelievable." Hellberg's side have won seven of their opening 12 league matches.
The victory leaves Middlesbrough on 25 points after 12 games in the Championship.
