Middlesbrough are top of the Championship, and the underlying numbers from Friday night's 5-1 dismantling of Bolton Wanderers suggest the table is not lying. This was not a flattering scoreline built on breakaways and a generous goalkeeper; it was the product of sustained, suffocating attacking play that should concern every promotion rival in the division.

The statistics that tell the real story

Kim Hellberg's side registered 31 shots in the match, 19 of them arriving in the first half alone. Twelve were on target. The expected goals figure of 4.16 xG confirms what the eye test suggested: Boro were not only manufacturing chances in volume, they were creating high-quality ones. They scored five, and by several accounts could have added more had Bolton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu not produced a string of fine saves to keep the margin from becoming embarrassing.

For context, an xG return of 4.16 in a single Championship match is exceptional. It is the kind of output that reflects a system working at peak efficiency, not one that is simply getting lucky. Supporters would be wise to enjoy it, but they should also remember that Boro racked up 25 points from 12 games at this same point last season, then won only four of their final 15 league matches before finishing fifth. A purple patch is a purple patch; it is not a title.

Lankshear: the division's most dangerous forward

Will Lankshear scored twice to take his Championship tally to 11 goals in 12 league games, four clear of the next name on the scoring chart. The 21-year-old, signed from Tottenham for an initial £10m in the summer, has 13 goals across all competitions this season. Those are numbers that belong to a striker who is not merely riding form; they suggest a player who has understood quickly what the second tier demands and adapted accordingly.

Former Boro midfielder Neil Maddison, speaking on BBC Radio Tees, highlighted the intelligent variation in Lankshear's movement: dropping deep, mixing up his runs, and proving increasingly difficult for defenders to track. That kind of tactical evolution, mid-season, in a 21-year-old, is precisely why the market will not allow him to stay at Championship level for long if this continues. Boro need to make the most of him now.

What it means for Bolton

Bolton came into this fixture with genuine momentum: they had beaten Wolves and drawn at Southampton in their two previous outings. Friday's result does not erase that, but it does raise serious questions about their defensive structure when faced with a side pressing at this intensity. Conceding five while allowing 31 shots is a data point that demands attention from Steven Schumacher's staff, regardless of the quality of the opposition.

Former Bolton manager Keith Hill, speaking as a pundit on BBC Radio Manchester, chose not to criticise his old club and instead praised Boro as "the best team in the Championship." That is a generous reading of a single performance, but the sentiment captures the scale of the gap on the night.

The bigger picture for Boro

Middlesbrough sit on 25 points from 12 games. Seven wins from their opening dozen fixtures is a return that any promotion contender would accept. Hellberg's side play with a directness and work rate that makes them uncomfortable opponents for anyone in this division.

The caveat, as always at this stage of a Championship season, is time. There are still more than 30 games remaining, and this league has a reliable habit of humbling sides who look unstoppable in October. Boro were top in early February last season before a catastrophic collapse in form. The bones of this team are strong enough to avoid a repeat, but the fixture list will offer far sterner tests than a Bolton side that, for all their recent form, remains a work in progress defensively.

For now, the evidence from Friday is compelling. The question is whether Hellberg can maintain the standards over a full 46-game campaign rather than a glorious fortnight.

Frequently asked

How many goals has Will Lankshear scored in the Championship this season?
Lankshear has scored 11 goals in 12 Championship games for Middlesbrough this season, plus two more in cup competitions, giving him 13 in all competitions.
Are Middlesbrough top of the Championship?
Yes. Following their 5-1 win over Bolton on Friday, Middlesbrough moved to the top of the Championship with 25 points from 12 games.
What was Middlesbrough's xG against Bolton?
Middlesbrough generated 4.16 expected goals (xG) against Bolton, backing up their 5-1 scoreline with a high volume and quality of chances created.