# Middlesbrough thrash Bolton to top Championship

> Middlesbrough beat Bolton 5-1 to lead Championship with a dominant display.
- Title: Middlesbrough thrash Bolton to top Championship · BBC Sport
- Summary: Middlesbrough beat Bolton 5-1 to lead Championship with a dominant display. Middlesbrough secured top spot in Championship after a 5-1 win over Bolton…
- Keywords: middlesbrough, bolton wanderers, championship, will lankshear, kim hellberg, championship goalscoring, football, sports, thrash, Bolton, top, BBC Sport
- Source: BBC Sport — https://bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c65ynq95xdw5o
- Published: 2026-10-23T23:14:00.188+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: middlesbrough, bolton wanderers, championship, will lankshear, kim hellberg, championship goalscoring, football, sports
## Middlesbrough thrash Bolton 5-1
Middlesbrough beat Bolton Wanderers 5-1 to take top spot in Championship.
## Lankshear scores twice
Championship top scorer Will Lankshear took his tally to 11 goals in 12 league games.
## 31 shots on target
Middlesbrough registered 31 shots at goal, 19 in the first half.
## 4.16 expected goals
Middlesbrough racked up 4.16 expected goals (xG) with 12 on target.
## Keith Hill praises team
Former Bolton manager Keith Hill called Middlesbrough 'special' and 'work like soldiers'.
## Neil Maddison's view
Neil Maddison said it was a five-star performance without a shadow of doubt.
## Lankshear's confidence
Lankshear felt 'lucky and honoured' to play in a great team with two top wingers.
## Key takeaway

Middlesbrough secured top spot in Championship after a 5-1 win over Bolton Wanderers, with striker Will Lankshear scoring twice to reach 11 goals in 12 games.