Under the slate-grey Manchester skies Middlesbrough yesterday provided further evidence that their future looks bright.

Lee Cattermole's first goal in a Boro shirt two minutes before the break underlined that he can now add a striker's finish to his all- round game.

It also revealed just how much he has grown in stature since he first broke into the side.

That he had the confidence to break free of his midfield shackles, and marker, to power a header past England goalkeeper David James from Stuart Downing's inviting cross eight yards out, provided further evidence, if it were needed, that Cattermole is here for the long term.

But the 18-year-old wasn't the only youngster to shine at Eastlands.

James Morrison and Downing both threatened from the flanks, substitute Andrew Taylor grew in confidence as the game progressed and Stuart Parnaby linked superbly on the right with Morrison.

It all added up to a continuation of Boro's improvement since they slipped into relegation trouble.

There were contrasting viewpoints from both camps prior to the mid-table Premiership clash at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Downing sensibly recognised that Boro's season, and indeed another European sortie, hinged on FA Cup and / or UEFA Cup glory.

City's optimistic boss Stuart Pearce felt European qualification through a league position was still a distinct possibility.

The reality is harder to predict, but UEFA qualification now looks unlikely for City.

For Middlesbrough to be involved in the latter stages of two prestigious competitions reveals just how far the club has progressed.

Chairman Steve Gibson and manager Steve McClaren have finally transformed the club from one fighting either relegation or promotion - to and from the top flight - to one challenging for honours and European qualification.

As long as McClaren is not lured away by the England job, he and the Teesside supporters could enjoy something special in the next few years.

Boro's Premier League position would seem to suggest otherwise, but it does not reveal the bigger picture.

Everyone connected with the club may have been disappointed with the team's form two months ago but comfort can be drawn from watching McClaren's young fledglings blossom, and they will get better.

Yesterday's match wasn't a classic by any means as both sides set up in 4-5-1 formations in a bid to cancel each other out.

Having said that, Boro should have put the game to bed with half-an-hour to spare.

But such was their profligacy in front of goal they kept the travelling faithful hanging on until the final whistle. It would have been harsh had City contrived an equaliser.

With one eye on Thursday's UEFA Cup quarter-final second leg at home to Basle, McClaren made wholesale changes.

In came Cattermole, George Boateng, Morrison, Brad Jones, Fabio Rochemback, Ugo Ehiogu and Yakubu. Out went Mark Schwarzer, Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink, Mark Viduka, Ray Parlour, Doriva, Gaizka Mendieta, and Emanuel Pogatetz.

Boro threatened after only five minutes when Downing and Franck Queudrue combined well down the left.

The England international flighted a beautiful cross for Morrison, only for his shot to fly over after a deflection.

Queudrue's involvement was fleeting, and he limped off after only nine minutes following a crunching challenge by Darius Vassell, to be replaced by Taylor.

The home side rarely asked many questions of the visitors' defence in the opening period.

Albert Riera twice fired over from 20 yards after 15 and 37 minutes and Vassell went looking for a penalty seven minutes later after a Boateng challenge.

Fortunately referee Mike Riley didn't buy it.

Morrison threatened five minutes after the break when only a last-ditch tackle from Micah Richards prevented his 40-yard run ending fruitfully.

The impressive Cattermole, who turned 18 last month, missed a glorious opportunity to put the Teessiders 2-0 up when Yakubu set him up. But James pulled off a double save to thwart him in the 56th minute.

Yakubu was then guilty of a miss three minutes later when he blazed over after Morrison provided the assist.

City revealed that gamesmanship is alive and well in Manchester when Georgios Samaras fooled the referee into awarding a free-kick in a dangerous position when the nearest Boro player was two yards away.

Fortunately nothing came of it and the visitors went on to infuriate their fans by continuing to waste opportunities.

Morrison could have done better when Rochemback and Boateng set him up in a central position inside the area, only for James to save around the post.

Yakubu missed another chance in the closing stages but Boro hung on to their record of never having lost to Manchester City in the Premiership.

Result: Mancheter City 0, Middlesbrough 1.

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