Downing Set For Spurs Repeat?
Last updated : 03 March 2009 By Boro Mad
TOTTENHAM v BORO - PREMIERSHIP YEARS2008/2009 Sat 16 Aug Middlesbrough 2 - 1 Tottenham H. Premier League
2007/2008 Sat 12 Apr Tottenham H. 1 - 1 Middlesbrough Premier League
Sat 03 Nov Middlesbrough 1 - 1 Tottenham H. Premier League
Wed 26 Sep Tottenham H. 2 - 0 Middlesbrough League Cup
2006/2007 Sat 28 Apr Middlesbrough 2 - 3 Tottenham H. Premiership
Tue 05 Dec Tottenham H. 2 - 1 Middlesbrough Premiership
2005/2006 Sun 18 Dec Middlesbrough 3 - 3 Tottenham H. Premiership
Sat 20 Aug Tottenham H. 2 - 0 Middlesbrough Premiership
2004/2005 Sat 07 May Middlesbrough 1 - 0 Tottenham H. Premiership
Sun 28 Nov Tottenham H. 2 - 0 Middlesbrough Premiership
2003/2004 Tue 09 Mar Middlesbrough 1 - 0 Tottenham H. Premiership
Wed 17 Dec Tottenham H. 1 - 1 Middlesbrough League Cup
after extra time, 90 minutes 1-1, Middlesbrough won 5-4 on penalties
Sun 26 Oct Tottenham H. 0 - 0 Middlesbrough Premiership
2002/2003 Sat 03 May Middlesbrough 5 - 1 Tottenham H. Premiership
Sat 28 Sep Tottenham H. 0 - 3 Middlesbrough Premiership
2001/2002 Sat 30 Mar Middlesbrough 1 - 1 Tottenham H. Premiership
Sat 27 Oct Tottenham H. 2 - 1 Middlesbrough Premiership
2000/2001 Sat 23 Dec Tottenham H. 0 - 0 Middlesbrough Premiership
Tue 22 Aug Middlesbrough 1 - 1 Tottenham H. Premiership
1999/2000 Mon 03 Apr Tottenham H. 2 - 3 Middlesbrough Premiership
Sat 18 Dec Middlesbrough 2 - 1 Tottenham H. Premiership
1998/1999 Sat 20 Feb Middlesbrough 0 - 0 Tottenham H. Premiership
Sun 13 Sep Tottenham H. 0 - 3 Middlesbrough Premiership
1996/1997 Thu 24 Apr Tottenham H. 1 - 0 Middlesbrough Premiership
Sat 19 Oct Middlesbrough 0 - 3 Tottenham H. Premiership
1995/1996 Mon 08 Apr Tottenham H. 1 - 1 Middlesbrough Premiership
Tue 21 Nov Middlesbrough 0 - 1 Tottenham H. Premiership
1992/1993 Tue 20 Apr Middlesbrough 3 - 0 Tottenham H. Premier League
Sat 17 Oct Tottenham H. 2 - 2 Middlesbrough Premier League
2007/8 TOTTENHAM 1 BORO 1
TOTTENHAM: Cerny, Hutton, Dawson, Woodgate,Chimbonda (Gilberto 70), Lennon (Bent 75), Zokora, Jenas,Malbranque (Huddlestone 60), Berbatov, Keane.Subs Not Used: Forecast, Tainio.
BORO: Schwarzer, Young, Wheater, Pogatetz,Grounds (Johnson 64), O'Neil (Sanli 74), Boateng,Arca (Rochemback 67), Downing, Aliadiere, Alves.
Subs Not Used: Turnbull, McMahon.
Att: 36,092
Middlesbrough edged closer towards a mid-table finish after two fortuitous goals at White Hart Lane meant they shared the points with Tottenham.
An impish piece of skill from Dimitar Berbatov set up the opener, with Jon Grounds putting through his own net, before Stewart Downing had an effort deflected in to level matters in the second half.
With Barclays Premier League survival virtually assured, Gareth Southgate's men can take heart from their recent narrow defeat to Chelsea and last weekend's draw against Manchester United.
Along with this result, Boro are looking upwards rather than towards the danger zone.
Fabio Capello was in the stands to monitor the likes of Jonathan Woodgate, who was his usual calm self as he faced Brazilian striker Afonso Alves.
Down the flanks, Capello kept an eye on the raw pace of Aaron Lennon up against Downing, while Jermaine Jenas made the yards down the middle.
Then there were the young defenders in Michael Dawson and David Wheater - plenty to play for among the Englishmen despite the game looking meaningless on paper.
Robbie Keane, making his 250th appearance for Spurs, wrote in his programme notes about the importance of every match despite securing European football already by winning the Carling Cup.
"That aside, if we do not secure a decent majority share of the 15 points available, we will not be able to look back on this term with any real satisfaction," he insisted.
Without the intensity of a relegation clash, at least there was open football on offer.
Boro thought they had taken the lead with just 73 seconds on the clock.
Pascal Chimbonda's slip allowed Gary O'Neil down the right and Alves tapped in after Jeremie Aliadiere met the cross first time and Radek Cerny parried - but the strike was ruled out for offside.
Jenas fired over from the edge of the area and it was Lennon's perseverance that set up Spurs' first real chance when he robbed George Boateng in midfield.
The ball was spread to Keane and the cross was met by Berbatov but Mark Schwarzer did not have to move to make the save.
Jenas then went on a driving run, aided by a back-heel from Keane, and went beyond the Boro defence. His progress was only stopped when Schwarzer rushed out to smother the shot.
The opener came in the 26th minute and Berbatov took the plaudits despite Grounds getting the last touch. He flicked the ball over the Boro defence for Jenas to break the offside trap as Keane ran backwards from an offside position.
Jenas lost momentum but fed Berbatov on the right flank. The Bulgaria striker flicked the ball up and volleyed over a cross that Lennon met first time, with the ball going in off Grounds' knee.
Boro, who had Emanuel Pogatetz booked for a foul soon after the opener, looked for a way back into the game.
They were almost gifted a chance when Cerny came out to claim and dropped the ball on the edge of the area to prevent handball, but he managed to scramble clear.
In the second half, Wheater met a corner with a firm header and it required Lennon, the smallest player on the pitch, to head off the line as he guarded the post.
Alves also played Aliadiere down the right channel and Dawson was over to block the Frenchman's shot.
Spurs could have extended their lead on the hour mark when Berbatov's finish, after Keane had flicked on Alan Hutton's cross, came off the post.
The response of Boro boss Southgate was to take Grounds off for Adam Johnson. Fabio Rochemback also came on, for Julio Arca.
Alves got another sight of goal soon after and it took another brave block from Dawson to deny him.
But Boro were level with 21 minutes remaining through Downing's fortunate strike. Choosing to shoot with his unfavoured right foot, the winger's shot from 25 yards taking a deflection off Berbatov's head and going in.
Alves raced through and could have sealed it, but his finish went wide, then Gilberto had to block off the line when Tuncay Sanli shot.
