Middlesbrough 1 Tottenham Hotspur 1

A SPECTACULAR goal from Luke Young against one of his former sides brought a share of the spoils at the Riverside, writes GORDON COX.

It was his first goal in Boro colours and first for eight months.

Gareth Southgate made one change from the side which lost against Manchester United as Jonathan Woodgate, who had a hamstring problem, was replaced by Chris Riggott, which meant there were four players remaining from the side beaten by Sevilla in the UEFA Cup final.

In his first Premier League game since leaving Sevilla, Juande Ramos made three changes from the side which edged past Blackpool in the Carling Cup on Wednesday as Didier Zokora, Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane were replaced by Kevin-Prince Boateng, Darren Bent and Jermaine Defoe.

Boro almost took the lead with just under four minutes played as Tuncay kept the ball in play tight to the touchline and three Tottenham players stopped thinking it had gone out. They were taken out of the game with a short pass which picked up Gary O'Neil whose low, hard cross whistled across goal and inches wide.

Both sides found it difficult to create chances as the game had a nervous look, two banks of four determined to give nothing away between third and fourth bottom in the Premier League.

Spurs had brought a decent following with them but by and large they were quiet past the mid-point of the first half, while Boro's fans mixed their emotions between encouragement and frustration.

Neat football took Boro to the edge of the Spurs penalty area. He danced along from the right-hand edge to the D but saw a low shot blocked.

He seemed to twist awkwardly just after releasing the effort and needed treatment before he could continue.

Fine defensive work from Luke Young cleared danger at the other end and a thundering challenge from Cattermole took possession away from Defoe as two sides contested play largely 30 yards either side of the halfway line.

The deadlock was broken with 34 minutes played as Boro lost possession just inside their own half. Spurs broke quickly down their left as the ball was played to Darren Bent, who beat Mark Schwarzer at his near post with a low drive, the first real effort on goal for the visitors.

Entering the final minute of the half Defoe capitalised on defensive indecision between Riggott and O'Neil to set up Bent but he nudged a low shot just wide from close range.

Half-time: Middlesbrough 0 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Tottenham created a half chance to increase their lead with their first attack of the second half but a low shot from Defoe was deflected wide for a corner which was cleared.

But the action was soon at the other end as Boro looked to step it up. Aliadiere was fouled by Boateng near the left-hand touchline. Fabio Rochemback took the free-kick Aliadiere jumped highest in a crowd and headed for goal 12 yards out only to see Robinson produce an excellent save and turn the ball round for a corner.

Even in the early stages it was a better performance for Boro and the crowd got right behind them, raising the roof with 52 minutes played as determination on the edge of the Spurs penalty area saw Boro regain possession.

O'Neil fed Luke Young, who still had much to do but steadied, set his sights and from the left-hand edge of the area struck with rapier-like accuracy into Robinson's top right-hand corner.

It was now all Boro and Ramos needed to make a change. In fact he made two as Defoe and Bent were replaced by Keane and Berbatov, a third change coming five minutes later as Zokora replaced the German Boateng.

The move benefited the visitors who started to take the game back to Boro but Schwarzer's handling was good and the boo boys were a distant memory for now.

One or two returned when a double change was made when George Boateng replaced cramp-stricken Aliadiere and Rochemback was replaced by Dong Gook Lee.

Danger came in the Boro box when Cattermole lost Jermaine Jenas but a low cross from the former Newcastle United man went through the penalty area untouched.

There was further concern in a nervy finish as Riggott, dealing with a low cross from the right, just avoided putting through his own goal. It was Spurs who finished the stronger and Berbatov set up Keane with a half chance but he was quickly surrounded by a host of red shirts.

The benefit of three points could be seen as both sides refused to accept a point but in the end they had no choice.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer; Young, Riggott, Wheater, Taylor, O'Neil (Capt.), Cattermole, Rochemback (Boateng 77), Downing, Aliadiere (Lee 77), Tuncay (Hutchinson 71). Unused subs: Turnbull (gk); Hines.

Tottenham Hotspur: Robinson (Capt); Chimbonda, Kaboul, Dawson, Lee, Lennon, Boateng (Zokora 62), Jenas, Malbranque, Bent (Berbatov 57), Defoe (Keane 57). Unused subs: Cerny (gk); Stalteri.

Referee Alan Wiley, Burntwood, Staffordshire.

Bookings

Middlesbrough Lee, 90, foul.

Tottenham Hotspur None

Attendance 25,625

Conditions Overcast and cool with a light breeze

Website Boro Man of the Match David Wheater