Middlesbrough moved to the top of the Championship with a convincing 5-1 victory over Bolton. Kim Hellberg’s side dominated from the first minute, while double scorer Will Lankshear confirmed his status as the league’s best striker.
Boro registered 31 shots on target, 19 of which came in the first half. Twelve were on target, and the team generated 4.16 expected goals (xG). Bolton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu produced a string of impressive saves to mitigate the defeat, but he could not stop the home side’s onslaught.
Lankshear’s two goals took him to 11 goals in 12 league matches this season, or 13 in all competitions. This puts him four goals clear of Southampton’s Cyle Larin at the top of the Championship scoring charts. The 21-year-old forward, whom Middlesbrough signed from Tottenham in July for an initial fee of 10 million pounds, was named man of the match. "I am happy and honoured to be part of this team," said Lankshear, adding that the result could have been double figures and highlighting Tommy Conway and Amari Cozier-Duberry as excellent wingers.
Manager Kim Hellberg paid tribute to Bolton for attempting to play aggressively and take control, while also highlighting the contribution of five players from the bench. Former Bolton manager Keith Hill, who watched the match as a pundit for BBC Radio Manchester, described Middlesbrough as a "special" team that was "working like soldiers." He stated that Boro would finish in the top two if that is the benchmark in the league, and that Bolton’s players, staff and fans know they were beaten by the best team in the Championship. Former Middlesbrough midfielder Neil Maddison believes it was the best performance under the Swedish manager.
Middlesbrough’s victory leaves them on 25 points after 12 matches, the same figure they had at this stage last season. They were top of the table in early February last year after six consecutive wins, but then won only four of their final 15 league games and finished fifth. They lost the play-off final to Hull, and were reinstated to the competition after Southampton were relegated for spying.
