Kim Hellberg said there is no better feeling than winning on a Friday night after watching magnificent Middlesbrough storm to a 5-1 success at Bolton to move top of the Sky Bet Championship.
Boro battered last season’s League One play-off final winners with Will Lankshear’s latest two goals, one from former Trotters loanee Amario Cozier-Duberry, an Aidan Morris opener plus Lewis Brunt’s own goal.
It all added up to a stunning victory that saw the visitors leapfrog Swansea and West Ham to reach the tier-two summit.
“It will be a nice Saturday and Sunday,” said Boro manager Hellberg, who described himself as “very happy with the performance.”
He added: “It was a good game and maybe over 90 minutes, in both halves, it was very strong.
“We talked about Bolton’s high line which they have been successful with. So, we tried to beat that in different ways.
“My players were exceptional finding spaces, running in behind and scoring some beautiful goals.”
Morris set Boro on their way after 13 minutes, Lankshear converted Cozier-Duberry’s assist after 31 minutes before Brunt inadvertently turned in Adilson Malanda’s header beyond outstanding goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu.
All the great work was partially undone when Thelonius Bair pulled a goal back for the home side in the second minute of first-half stoppage time.
“You never want to concede a goal,” said Hellberg. “There was a feeling of them giving up but they get the goal and pump themselves up for the first 15 minutes (of the second half).
“However, we managed that well which was a step forward for us. We wanted to keep a clean sheet but if we score five then I take it.”
Brighton loan star Cozier-Duberry ensured Boro’s seven league win of the campaign after 73 minutes and five minutes later Lankshear took his season’s tally to 11 league goals and six in as many games.
Bolton boss Steven Schumacher admitted: “There was a gulf in class which was evident.
“But to say that for the first time in 12 games (this season) is respectable. We have been in every game but tonight we were up against a better side.
“It was a tough night and difficult game. But we knew that before the start.
“Hopefully one day we can get to the level of players they have. There is a gulf between the clubs right now and one day we hope to close it if we can.
“We could have been 1-0, get one on one with the goal but miss the chance. And then 26 seconds later we were 1-0 down.
“After that you could see their confidence growing. We gave ourselves a lifeline (with Bair’s goal) and for the first 15 minutes of the second, we were in with a chance.
“But it was a punishing night because they were on top form. But we won’t dwell on it because in this league anything can happen.”
