Kike seals Boro comeback win
Spanish striker Kike's second-half strike saw Middlesbrough bounce back from their defeat at Leeds to beat Bolton 2-1 at Macron Stadium.
Wanderers had taken the lead through a Craig Davies penalty, but Middlesbrough hit back through a spot-kick of their own just before half-time, scored by Grant Leadbitter, and Kike's effort 12 minutes from time saw them seal the win.
The victory leaves Boro with two wins from three games, having lost 1-0 at Leeds at the weekend, while Bolton remain on one point after slumping to their second loss of the campaign.
The home side were without Dean Moxey after he failed a late fitness, which meant that Tim Ream partnered former Middlesbrough defender David Wheater at centre-half.
Meanwhile, former Manchester City midfielder Adam Clayton made his full debut for Boro, after signing from Huddersfield last week.
The visitors started the brighter, with Kike looking threatening from the off as the summer signing from Murcia had three unsuccessful early attempts at goal.
But, despite dominating possession for the majority of the first half, Middlesbrough did not work Adam Bogdan in the Wanderers goal.
The Trotters then won a penalty in the 27th minute. Davies was put through on goal before being taken down in the area by Seb Hines, which saw the Boro defender lucky to escape with a yellow card. Davies then blasted the ball into the top right corner to put the home side into the lead.
The visitors had a penalty claim of their own as Lee Tomlin tumbled over inside the box, although referee Stephen Martin turned that appeal down.
However, it was not long after before Middlesbrough were lining up a spot-kick of their own as their former captain Wheater handled the ball in the area. Current skipper Leadbitter then stepped up and slotted the ball past Bogdan to equalise on the stroke of half-time.
Bolton had chances to retake the lead after the break with Lee Chung-yong and then Liam Feeney seeing their attempts go just wide.
Boro substitute Adam Reach then almost made an immediate impact off the bench. His powerful volley from distance was brilliantly tipped over the post by Bogdan though.
However, there was nothing the Bulgarian stopper could do about the visitors' next chance. Kike was put through before delightfully dinking the ball over the onrushing Bogdan to send Middlesbrough into the lead.
Wanderers manager Dougie Freedman reacted by sending on striker Jermaine Beckford for the final 10 minutes.
That decision looked to have had the desired effect as the former Leeds forward put the ball into the back of the net from close range, but the goal was disallowed after the referee deemed their was a foul in the build up.
Kike had a late chance to wrap the match up late on as he was put through on-on-one with Bogdan once more. The 24-year-old missed the opportunity, taking the ball out of play with the goal at his mercy, but it mattered little as Boro then comfortably held out for the win.
Source: PA
