Downing One Step Nearer That European Dream?
Last updated : 07 January 2009 By Boro Mad
As the transfer stories rumble on - "will he - won't he?" - Downing's proposed partnership with Jermain Defoe is starting to look a formality.
Yes we know Steve Gibson is digging in his heels, but former Boro stars are telling Downing to head to Capital City ... where he can realise his ambitions.
Although Downing is cup-tied and could play no part in Tottenham's League Cup final ... should they get there ... Jermain Defoe looks set to be given the chance to erase last season's Wembley misery.
Defoe was paraded on the pitch at White Hart Lane before the game after agreeing to rejoin the club he left just under a year ago in a transfer that meant he missed Spurs winning the competition in February.
The England striker was also ineligible for Portsmouth's FA Cup win but will be cleared to play in the second leg against Burnley when Spurs protect a 4-1 lead.
The holders, however, were given a genuine scare when Martin Paterson opened the scoring and the visitors could have added more before Jamie O'Hara came on at the break and set up Michael Dawson's equaliser before adding the second himself.
Roman Pavlyuchenko kept up his record of scoring in every round of the competition when he added the third, then Michael Duff's own goal completed the misery for Owen Coyle's men.