MIDDLESBROUGH/LOVECH, Nov 3 (SW) - Middlesbrough went top of UEFA Cup Group D on Thursday as they comfortably defeated Ukrainian side Dnipro at the Riverside while Litex Lovech got their first win over Grasshoppers.

Middlesbrough - Dnipro 3-0

After thrashing Manchester United in the Premiership over the weekend, Boro kept up their hot pace on Thursday.

Yakubu opened the scoring on 36 minutes, latching onto a nice ball by Gaizka Mendieta before firing beyond Dnipro goalkeeper Artem Kusily for a 1-0 lead.

Mark Viduka then stole the show, making it 2-0 to Boro on 50 minutes, again Mendieta providing the pass for the Australian international striker to gather and beat Kusily.

Viduka then put the game out of reach six minutes later, tapping in a rebound after Kusily could only parry an effort by James Morrison.

Litex - Grasshoppers 2-1

Milivoje Novakovic set the Bulgarians on the right path on 13 minutes when he converted a cross by Stanislav Genchev to make it 1-0 to the home side.

Grasshoppes had many chances after that to equalize, but failed, and on 81 minutes Brazilian striker Sandrinho doubled the home side's advantage firing home to seal the win.

Antonio scored in the final minute for Grasshoppers, but it was merely consolation and the Swiss side were left at the bottom of the group.