AS the final whistle blew at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough had lifted themselves to fourth in the Premiership courtesy of a sensational free-kick from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

But, while pundits up and down the country know all about the Dutchman's qualities, there is a player 12 years his junior beginning to build his own feared reputation in English football.

It is a tribute to Stewart Downing that he was only on the pitch for the last 35 minutes against Crystal Palace and he is the one being talked about by his manager, team-mates and the supporters.

Hailed as the club's 'Boy Wonder' on the front of the match-day programme he had a lot to live up to.

But it is testament to the 20-year-old that he more than fulfilled his pre-match billing.

Downing's introduction, along with Szilard Nemeth, changed the game.

Up until that point Boro had struggled to break down a hard-working Crystal Palace back-line that had stifled the threat offered from both flanks by Bolo Zenden and Gaizka Mendieta.

Everyone connected with Middlesbrough are well aware of the talent that Downing possesses and Steve McClaren - schooled by the way his former boss Sir Alex Ferguson used to treat a young David Beckham at Manchester United - is keen to keep him out of the media spotlight.

As the left-winger is under the age of 21, a rule introduced by McClaren, he is not allowed to do interviews as Boro try to nurture and hone his natural ability.

But if Downing continues to produce scintillating cameo performances he will soon be forcing his way into the first XI and then McClaren may struggle to distract the attention from him.

Even England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has been impressed, knowing full well that the international team is still no nearer finding a solution to their never-ending nightmare left side.

One of Downing's new team-mates, Ray Parlour, is already full of admiration and he should know what is required to become a star on the Premiership stage having played alongside a number of big-performers including Robert Pires, Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira.

"It's great that he's a local boy. I think he has a big future," said Parlour, who was a product of Arsenal's youth academy before finally ending 13 professional years at Highbury in the summer.

"There's still a long way to go but he has a platform now.

"There has always been trouble on the left hand side for England so he has every chance of filling that role.

"But he must continue to improve and do well for the Under 21s.

"He's an out an out winger and sometimes you need that outlet. When it's busy in midfield it's good to have that outlet.

"He has pace and he's an old-fashioned winger, which there aren't many of around nowadays.

"He's got enough pace to get past players and he delivers a great ball in. He has done very well this season when he has come on."

McClaren was also left purring, but admits Downing, who has gone from strength to strength since a loan move to Sunderland nearly a year ago, must not become too caught up in the rise of his profile.

"Left-wingers are gold dust and Stewart's got all the ability and he's progressing well," said McClaren, who recently tied the Teessider down to a long-term deal.

"He's keeping his feet on the ground and there's still a lot more to come from him but we're very pleased. Stewart still has a long way to go before he breaks into the England seniors.

"He's got to do it at Under-21 level first and he's got to do it in the Premiership week in, week out which he is doing.

"Sven's taken note but he's already in the Under-21s so he's bound to be noticed, which he was the last time Sven was here (against Ukraine in U-21s).

"Stewart's attitude and the way he approaches his work are excellent."

Before Downing had been brought off the bench, Boro had failed to hit the heights they had managed against Fulham in midweek. Mark Viduka had a half-volley fly over the bar and Hasselbaink had a number of long range efforts dealt with by goalkeeper Julian Speroni.

Palace manager Iain Dowie has instilled a great work-ethic within his squad but, unless they add a few top class additions before tomorrow's closure of the transfer window, this will be a season of struggle in their first campaign back among the elite.

Nevertheless, their lone striker Andy Johnson very nearly put the Eagles ahead just before half-time when he placed his shot wide after being put through by Michael Hughes.

But Johnson made no mistake with his next effort when he blasted a penalty beyond Mark Schwarzer seven minutes after the restart. There were no complaints about the decision when Chris Riggott brought down the Palace forward after the ball had been knocked past the defender.

Cue Downing and Nemeth. Six minutes after they entered play Boro were level, albeit in a fortunate manner. Downing's free-kick from wide on the right was clumsily dealt with by Tony Popovic and turned past Speroni.

And, after becoming more and more of an attacking force as the game went on, Boro took the lead with 12 minutes remaining through a moment of pure genius from Hasselbaink.

The former Chelsea man drove a curling right-footed 25-yard free-kick - awarded for Hughes' foul on George Boateng - into Speroni's top right corner to clinch all the points and his third goal in four top-flight starts since arriving.