Kim Hellberg's verdict on Middlesbrough's 5-1 away win at Bolton and the brilliant travelling army

Kim Hellberg described his Middlesbrough side’s performance as ‘beautiful’ as they hit five past Bolton Wanderers to go top of the Championship leading to great scenes in a packed out away end at full-time which the Boro boss enjoyed.

Boro were at their thrilling best to record the biggest ever win under the Swedish head coach, in a performance of superb attacking quality.

The 5-1 win came in front of a 5,100-strong travelling army, who stayed well after full-time despite the monsoon conditions to celebrate with the players and Hellberg.

Of the scenes at full-time, Hellberg said: “Enjoying it in front of the away fans was unbelievable. It’s absolutely crazy what they did tonight.

“It felt like after the game they could have stayed there for however long. It was a very nice moment to just be out there and celebrate with them. Now we hope everyone has a careful drive home.”

To spark the celebrations, Will Lankshear’s brace moved him to 13 goals for the season, while Amario Cozier-Duberry, Aidan Morris and an own goal also sealed a 5-1 victory for Boro.

Reacting after, an elated Hellberg said: “I’m very happy with the performance. It was the first time since we started the season, I think, where we had a week actually up to a game to train a little bit, so that was nice.

“We talked a lot about their high line - and they've been very successful with it - and we worked to try to beat that in different ways. My players out there were exceptional in terms of finding spaces, running in behind, and scoring some absolutely beautiful goals.

“We are an offensive team and we like to believe in ourselves and, to give Bolton a lot of credit, they were also trying to play and be aggressive - trying to take control of the game. I like that because then the games can be open.

“For people watching this, this is why, football back and forth and for us scoring some absolutely brilliant goals. We are a very good football side and I’m very happy with the win for us, and how we played.”

While Boro’s attacking quality will steal the headlines, there was another element of Boro’s performance that Hellberg really liked - and described as a big step forward.

Looking comfortable at 3-0 as half-time approached, Bolton pulled one back with virtually the last kick of the half.

But managing the start of the second half well, Boro eventually made use of the extra space provided from Bolton’s desire to try and get back into the game.

“I thought we handled the start of the second half really well too,” he said. “You never want to concede a goal just before half-time.

“It was almost the feeling of they've given up a little bit, and then they get that goal and they pumped themselves up and went out for the first 15 minutes and had a lot of energy.

“But we managed that very, very well, which was also a big step forward for us. I'm just very, very proud of that, and everything we did. Of course we want to keep a clean sheet, but if you score five, I’ll take that!”