‘Best team in the Championship’ – Boro lay down marker

Middlesbrough defeated Bolton Wanderers 5-1 on Friday night to move to the top of the Championship table. Kim Hellberg's side produced a dominant attacking performance, registering 31 total shots and an expected goals (xG) tally of 4.16. Striker Will Lankshear scored two goals in the match, taking his league total to 11 goals in 12 games this season.

The victory leaves Middlesbrough with 25 points from their opening 12 Championship fixtures. Pundits Keith Hill and Neil Maddison widely praised the performance, while Bolton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu prevented an even larger scoreline. Lankshear, who signed permanently from Tottenham for an initial £10m in July, now leads the Championship goalscoring charts by four goals.