Middlesbrough are top of the Championship after dismantling Bolton Wanderers 5-1 on Friday night, a result that will make every other promotion contender take stock. This was not a narrow win squeezed out on a sticky pitch; it was a statement, backed by numbers that are genuinely difficult to argue with.

The numbers behind the win

Boro registered 31 shots across the 90 minutes, 19 of them in the first half alone. Twelve were on target. Their expected goals (xG) figure for the match came in at 4.16, meaning the quality of the chances they manufactured was every bit as impressive as the volume. They scored five, and by most accounts should have had more, with Bolton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu producing a string of fine saves to prevent the scoreline becoming even more embarrassing for his side.

Kim Hellberg's men now sit on 25 points after 12 games, seven wins from those fixtures. It is worth noting, as a word of caution, that Boro had identical points at this stage last season. They were top again in early February after six straight victories, then won only four of their final 15 league matches and finished fifth before losing the play-off final to Hull. A run of four or five good performances in October proves very little in a division this brutal over a full campaign. Boro's supporters have every reason to enjoy this moment; they also have every reason to keep their feet on the ground.

Lankshear the standout

Will Lankshear scored twice more to take his Championship tally to 11 goals in 12 league appearances, four clear of his nearest rival at the top of the scoring chart. Signed from Tottenham for an initial £10m in July, the 21-year-old has already repaid a substantial chunk of that fee in confidence alone. He has 13 goals in all competitions this season and, according to those close to the squad, is still improving.

Former Middlesbrough midfielder Neil Maddison, speaking on BBC Radio Tees, called it "a five-star performance" and reserved particular praise for Lankshear's movement: "He is changing up his runs, coming deep, and he is getting better and better as the season goes on." Lankshear himself was uncharacteristically direct after the match, saying: "I can't sit here and try to be humble, it's something I had my eyes on."

Former Bolton manager Keith Hill, working as a pundit for BBC Radio Manchester, did not dwell on his former club's failings. Instead he described Middlesbrough as "special", said they "worked like soldiers" and went as far as declaring them "the best team in the Championship". High praise from a man with no reason to flatter the visitors.

What it means for Bolton

This is a reality check for Steven Schumacher's side. Bolton had earned genuine credit in their two previous outings, beating Wolves and holding Southampton to a goalless draw, results that suggested they could compete with the division's stronger clubs. Friday's hammering shows how quickly reputations can be recalibrated at this level. Conceding five at home, despite Bazunu's best efforts, raises questions about the defensive structure Schumacher has been building.

Bolton are not in free fall; two solid results before this one confirm there is substance to what Schumacher is constructing. But a 5-1 home defeat demands honest reflection, and the head coach will know it. The gap between competing with the top sides and containing them, over a full 90 minutes, remains significant.

The promotion picture

Boro lead the table as the rest of the division's weekend fixtures unfold, which is precisely the psychological advantage a Friday night win offers. Hellberg's squad, if they can maintain anywhere near this level of output, have the profile of genuine automatic promotion candidates. The head coach himself praised the "beauty" of his side's play whilst being careful to credit Bolton for their own attacking intent.

The key question is sustainability. Eleven goals in 12 games from your centre-forward, 31 shots in a single match, 4.16 xG: the underlying data all points the same way. But this division has swallowed teams who looked this good in October before. Boro will know that better than most.

Frequently asked

What was the score in Middlesbrough vs Bolton on Friday night?
Middlesbrough beat Bolton Wanderers 5-1 to move to the top of the Championship after 12 games.
How many Championship goals has Will Lankshear scored this season?
Lankshear has scored 11 Championship goals in 12 league appearances this season, making him the division's top scorer. He has 13 in all competitions.
Where are Middlesbrough in the Championship table?
Middlesbrough moved to the top of the Championship table with 25 points from 12 games after their 5-1 win over Bolton.