James McFadden brought UEFA Cup finalists Middlesbrough back down to earth with a late winner in a 1-0 triumph for Everton at the Riverside Stadium.

The Scot raced onto a long ball and brilliantly lobbed the onrushing Brad Jones to earn his side a first Barclays Premiership win in seven games.

Top scorer Aiyegbeni Yakubu spurned a number of good opportunities with Everton's best chances limited to free-kicks from James Beattie and McFadden until the 89th-minute winner.

The crowd was more than 5,000 down on Thursday's sell-out 34,662 and the atmosphere less frenetic, but Boro's youngsters held their own for most of the game.

Boro manager Steve McClaren, who continues to be strongly linked with the England job, remains focused on club business and decided changes were necessary.

It was Boro's 60th game of the season, came just 41 hours after the European semi-final win and was the first of four league matches in just over a week.

With the clash against Sevilla in Eindhoven just 11 days away. McClaren left out Massimo Maccarone, Mark Viduka and Chris Riggott - goal heroes against Steaua Bucharest - out, among others.

Boro had their first opportunity with just a minute on the clock when Ray Parlour shot over from distance.

Then James Morrison threatened with a testing cross from the right, which Everton cleared and a Boro corner also came to nothing.

Everton's only opening in the early stages came when Jones flapped at a Phil Neville throw, but Boro held firm.

Everton defender Joseph Yobo required lengthy treatment on an injury in the 12th minute, but the Nigerian returned to the action and hobbled on.

Morrison caught the Everton defence as he burst into the box in the 18th minute, but David Weir got back to clear as he checked his run and looked to pass.

Boro won another corner when an Adam Johnson free-kick was headed behind and Richard Wright claimed it.

Leon Osman tried his luck as Everton mounted a rare attack after 21 minutes, but his effort sailed over.

Everton caused a moment of alarm in the Boro box when Jones punched a low Beattie cross straight at Ugo Ehiogu, but the goalkeeper quickly regathered.

Yakubu went close to scoring at the other end when he found space on the right and fired just wide from the edge of the area.

Jones was still the only keeper to have been seriously tested, however, and he had to save from a curling Beattie free-kick on 38 minutes.

Both sides had a player booked just before the interval with Parlour and Gary Naysmith punished for fouls.

Everton had the first chance after the restart when Beattie stabbed an effort wide of target from 18 yards.

The Toffees suffered a serious blow after 52 minutes when Wright was hurt in a collision with Christie, who had been stretching to reach a Yakubu ball. Boss David Moyes was forced to replace his luckless keeper with youngster Iain Turner.

Yakubu again tried to break the deadlock just after the hour, but his well-struck low shot deflected narrowly wide off the heel of Neville.

Johnson also found room on the left but screwed his shot wide as he broke into the area.

Everton won another free-kick on the edge of the area after 67 minutes and Jones produced a fine one-handed save from McFadden's curling effort.

The visitors clearly tried to raise the tempo as the game approached its conclusion and Simon Davies went close as he skipped into the area after a strong run.

McFadden put another long-range shot wide of target and substitute Kevin Kilbane was similarly wayward.

Yakubu twisted his way into good position to net an 86th-minute goal for Boro but slipped as he shot and curled his effort wide.

The home side paid for his waywardness as McFadden settled the match with a brilliant 89th-minute strike.

The Scot raced onto a long ball and coolly lobbed the onrushing Jones from outside the area.