Saturday 15 August 2015 22:30, UK
Kike struck a double as promotion candidates Middlesbrough eased to a 3-0 Sky Bet Championship triumph over Bolton at the Riverside.
Diego Fabbrini's early opener preceded the Spaniard's brace as last year's play-off finalists, who began their season with an uninspiring goalless draw at Preston, put in a stylish performance.
Anticipation was high on Teesside, especially with Middlesbrough-born Stewart Downing making a second home debut for the club following his surprise summer switch from West Ham.
But it was another of Aitor Karanka's summer recruits who put Boro ahead, Watford loanee Fabbrini producing a spectacular long-range strike in the seventh minute.
That paved the way for a rampant first 45 minutes, with Middlesbrough entering the break 3-0 ahead as Kike twice converted from close range.
Karanka's men opted for a controlled approach in the second period, easing to the points without giving Bolton much of a sniff.
The hosts began on the front foot, Downing and George Friend each threatening inside four minutes.
Bolton had little answer to their opponents' attacking endeavour and were soon behind.
Picking the ball up 25 yards from goal, Fabbrini unleashed a spectacular drive into the top corner that left Ben Amos with no chance.
The Italian turned provider in the 17th minute as Boro's flying start continued.
Again afforded too much space, Fabbrini this time delivered a pin-point through-ball for Kike - who coolly applied the finish through Amos' legs.
The striker almost added a third midway through the opening period, denied by an onrushing Amos after Albert Adomah had delivered a lovely cross despite his boot falling off as he raced down the byline.
The footwear was to cause problems, too, as Adomah seemingly annoyed referee James Adcock by being reluctant to leave the field to put it back on.
The official's bizarre response was to not allow him back on for two minutes, attracting the ire of the crowd - whose anger soon turned to cheers when Adomah protested by lying down on the sideline.
There was little sense of relaxation on the field, though, as the Teessiders' continued attacking verve brought a third goal.
Kike was again the man to deliver it, sliding into an empty net after Amos had brilliantly tipped a deflected Downing effort on to the crossbar.
Whatever Neil Lennon said to his players at the break did not bring immediate rewards, Downing firing just wide as Middlesbrough picked up where they left off.
Bolton came back into the game a little, Emile Heskey spurning their first opportunity of note when turning Josh Vela's cross just wide.
Yet Boro still looked the most threatening side, epitomised by Friend narrowly missing the target after good work from Cristhian Stuani.
Their fine day was almost capped in injury time when David Nugent, who arrived from Leicester for an undisclosed fee on Friday, turned a close-range effort over the bar having been introduced late on.
However, that miss mattered little as Middlesbrough took the spoils.
Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka:
"It could be the best half we've played in my time in charge. We played really well, especially considering we changed our shape just before the game after seeing Bolton's team. It was an amazing first half. We played the way I want to play always."
"I take full responsibility for the first half. I set the team out that way - with three at the back - and it didn't work. The players didn't get to grips with it very well and we let Middlesbrough dictate the game."
