Striker Kike laid down a marker for new signing David Nugent at the Riverside, as his brace inspired Middlesbrough to a 3-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers this afternoon.
Nugent was expected to start following his midweek transfer from Leicester City, but Aitor Karanka kept faith with the Spanish frontman.
After Stewart Downing and George Friend both came close early on, it was another new signing, Diego Fabbrini, who opened the scoring. The Watford loanee fired home from long range after only seven minutes.
Ten minutes later and the Italian linked up with Kike, allowing the striker to open his account for the afternoon with a cool finish.
By this point Boro were running riot, and the two forwards were involved again on the half-hour mark.
Fabbrini's deflected shot was tipped onto the bar by Bolton goalkeeper Ben Amos, with Kike slotting home the rebound.
Bolton manager Neil Lennon was forced into changes throughout the second half, but his side failed to meaningfully threaten Boro, who remained in control and were able to hand home debuts to Christian Stuani and David Nugent.
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