Early-season runs can flatter teams, but this one appears to have real weight behind it.
The key point is not simply that Middlesbrough won; it is the way they seem to be building an attacking identity quickly. Teams who start well often do so because they are hard to beat. Teams who start well and score freely usually carry a bigger threat over the long haul.
The most striking detail is Lankshear’s finishing run. The report says he has six in five, which is the kind of burst that can lift an entire squad.
A new striker settling this quickly matters for several reasons:
After arriving from Tottenham, he appears to have adapted quickly to senior responsibility. That is not always guaranteed, especially for younger forwards stepping into a bigger weekly role.
If Middlesbrough can keep pairing results with goals, the conversation around them will shift from bright starters to genuine contenders. The next test is whether this reported surge can survive tougher stretches, when opponents sit deeper and the margins tighten. For now, the storyline is clear: Boro look lively, and Lankshear looks like a forward defenders will not want to face again next week.