Record signing Britt Assombalonga scored twice as Middlesbrough earned a 3-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers at the Macron Stadium.
The 24-year-old headed in Adama Traore’s thirteenth-minute cross before the pair combined again for a second goal with under twenty minutes remaining.
Latest arrival Marvin Johnson then added another, just ten minutes after being introduced from the bench.
Grant Leadbitter returned to skipper the visitors, who also included Stewart Downing from the start while another newcomer, Ryan Shotton, was named amongst their substitutes.
But it was goalkeeper Darren Randolph required to deal with Gary Madine’s firm volley before Traore showed determination and supplied Assombalonga to head into the bottom corner.
Lewis Baker also volleyed over after former Boro defender David Wheater initially cleared, while Madine’s header was deflected behind at the other end – with Traore’s reply similarly off-target.
But goalscorer Assombalonga was soon threatening at the start of the second period as Ben Alnwick saved, although his opposite number Randolph next thwarted Filipe Morais’ low drive.
However, Traore was again the provider when delivering for Assombalonga to turn in his second of the game, before debutant Jonson moved inside and drove in a third with twelve minutes remaining.
Randolph still had to deny Madine – and two-goal Assombalonga missed a late opportunity to complete his hat-trick.
Bolton Wanderers: Alnwick, Darby (Burke 46), Beevers, Wheater, Robinson, Derik (Cullen 65), Morais, Pratley, Karacan (Le Fondre 76), Noone, Madine
subs (unused): Buckley, Wilbraham, Armstrong, Howard
Middlesbrough: Randolph, Christie, Gibson, Fry, Fabio, Traore (Fletcher 82), Leadbitter, Clayton, Downing (Bamford 76), Baker (Johnson 68), Assombalonga
subs (unused): Konstantopoulos, Friend, Shotton, Howson
Goals: Assombalonga (13, 71), Johnson (78)
Ref: G. Eltringham
Att: 17,385
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