Tottenham Hotspur 1 Middlesbrough 1

BORO came from a goal behind to take a deserved point at White Hart Lane, from where GORDON COX reports.

Jonathan Grounds for Andrew Taylor was the only change to the Middlesbrough side which drew with Manchester United. Taylor travelled, but hadn't shaken off a slight knock he took last Sunday.

Spurs were unchanged from the side which drew at Blackburn seven days ago.

Boro had the ball in the net with 80 seconds played as Radek Cerny failed to hold a Jeremie Aliadiere low drive and Afonso Alves tucked in, but the celebrations were cut short by a linesman's flag - offside the call.

As the game developed both sides went for goal. Aaron Lennon's low cross from the right was turned round for a corner, while a knock down header from Alves met with similar treatment at the other end of the field.

Dimitar Berbatov and Jermaine Jenas combined to threaten, but Luke Young, back at his first club, effected a fine challenge on the edge of the box.

Schwarzer was then well placed to grab a close-range header from Bulgarian Berbatov.

Spurs began to build up a head of steam and Schwarzer had to spread himself well to block a shot from Jenas after the former Newcastle man carved a way through the middle.

Riding the pressure, Boro stepped up their own game and Grounds headed just over before Julio Arca pulled a 20-yard shot well wide.

There was an element of fortune involved as Spurs took the lead with just over 26 minutes played. Inspired work from Berbatov saw him create a chance out of nothing as his flicked up, then volleyed overhead from close to the right-hand edge of the six-yard box.

The ball fell to Lennon, whose shot deflected off Jonathan Grounds, leaving Schwarzer no chance.

Where Spurs got lucky Boro didn't a few minutes later as the home side made a hash of clearing a Stewart Downing corner, needing the bounce of the ball and second chance.

Cerny dropped the ball on the edge of his penalty area under pressure from Alves a few minutes later, but again the run of the ball didn't favour the visitors.

Half-time: Tottenham Hotspur 1 Middlesbrough 0

Boro created a half chance with the opening move of the second half when Downing crossed from the left, but George Boateng couldn't get enough purchase on a header to trouble Cerny.

But the bright start continued and David Wheater was unlucky to see a fine header from a right-wing corner cleared off the line by the smallest player on the pitch, Lennon.

Tottenham tried to hit back, but Boro were the more effective side at this stage and when Alves cleverly released Aliadiere a fine clearing challenge was needed to block a low goalbound shot.

As Spurs steadied themselves they almost increased their advantage as Berbatov struck the outside of Schwarzer's left-hand post.

Both managers decided to make changes, one to enhance his team's good work, the other to stem the tide.

Indeed there was a flurry of changes, six in 12 minutes, including a switch to left-back for Downing, but it was Boro who continued to look the better side in the second half and it was no surprise when they drew level with 69 minutes played.

Stewart Downing unleashed a drive from close on 30 yards which took a slight deflection off Jenas and flew past Cerny.

Boro went for more and after a fine run angling in from the left, Alves was inches away with a low shot, while inside the last 10 minutes Tuncay saw a goalbound shot blocked by a desperate Michael Dawson lunge.

The visitors continued to attack and a clever pass from Fabio Rochemback released Jeremie Aliadiere inside the Tottenham penalty area and hit shot on the turn just missed the target.

There was drama as the game entered injury-time as Schwarzer spilled a 25-yard Tom Huddlestone free-kick, managing to grab at the second attempt.

Tottenham Hotspur: Cerny; Hutton, Dawson, Woodgate, Chimbonda (Gilberto 70), Lennon (Bent 75), Jenas, Zokora, Malbranque (Huddlestone 60), Berbatov, Keane (Capt) Unused subs: Forecast (gk); Tainio.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer; Young, Wheater, Pogatetz (Capt), Grounds (Johnson 63), O'Neil (Tuncay 73), Boateng, Arca (Rochemback 66), Downing, Aliadiere, Alves. Unused subs: Turnbull (gk); McMahon.

Referee: Mark Halsey, Bolton.

Bookings

Tottenham Hotspur: None

Middlesbrough: Pogatetz, 29, foul; Arca, 44, foul; Young, 90+4.

Attendance: 36,092

Conditions: Cool and cloudy with a light breeze.

Website Boro Man of the Match: Luke Young