'Best team in the Championship' - Boro lay down marker

Middlesbrough thrashed Bolton 5-1 to move top of the Championship, with Will Lankshear scoring twice to reach 11 goals in 12 league games.

Middlesbrough delivered an emphatic statement of intent by demolishing Bolton Wanderers 5-1 to claim top spot in the Championship. Will Lankshear scored twice to extend his league-leading tally to 11 goals in 12 games, while Boro's overall display was dominant: they registered 31 shots (12 on target) and accumulated 4.17 expected goals. Former former Bolton manager Keith Hill, now a BBC Radio Manchester pundit, praised Middlesbrough as "special", highlighting their creativity and work rate as standout qualities in their promotion push.