Tottenham sealed a 2-0 victory over Middlesbrough at White Hart Lane to book their place in the fourth round of the Carling Cup.
Second half goals from Bale and Huddlestone seal win
Tottenham sealed a 2-0 victory over Middlesbrough at White Hart Lane to book their place in the fourth round of the Carling Cup.
After a goalless first half and some stubborn resistance from the visitors, Spurs finally went ahead through Gareth Bale - as he sprung the offside trap before rounding Brad Jones and slotting home.
The win was wrapped up not long after as Tom Huddlestone headed home after great work from Aaron Lennon down the right.
The visitors had been on the back foot for long periods, looking to break when possible and look for lone-striker Lee Dong-Gook.
Spurs skipper Paul Robinson was tested early on by Fabio Rochemback's long-range drive and Chris Riggott wasted a glorious chance at the end of the first half when he volleyed over, but the rest of the opening period saw the hosts push forward and apply pressure.
Lively
Jermain Defoe made a lively comeback to the starting XI and led the attack well. The England striker earned a free-kick which Bale saw deflected just wide after his initial effort cannoned off the defensive wall.
He was in the action again, in the ninth minute, lofting the ball through but Jermaine Jenas sliced his shot as he raced through on goal.
Defoe came close himself when Teemu Tainio slipped him through but Jones rushed out and blocked bravely with his face.
Tainio was found in an even better position when Defoe raced down the right flank and stood the ball up, but Jones did not have to move when the header came in.
Jones on-form
Boro keeper Jones, in the side instead of Mark Schwarzer, kept the scores level when Younes Kaboul flicked on Bale's free-kick, and he also tipped a Defoe header onto the bar before the break after Tainio's effort deflected into the striker's path.
Riggott's chance came just seconds before the break, with the defender volleying over from just six yards after Spurs failed to clear the set-piece.
Spurs have looked suspect from dead-ball situations all season and they were shaky again after the break when Tom Craddock, a half-time substitute, was found unmarked from a corner but could not direct an effort on goal.
At the other end, Jones saved from a Bale free-kick after Jenas was fouled by Andrew Taylor 25 yards out, then David Wheater had to time a challenge on Lennon to perfection when the winger took the ball into the penalty area.
Defoe tested Jones again, with a diving header from Pascal Chimbonda's cross, before being withdrawn with jeers ringing around White Hart Lane.
Defoe looked angry at being taken off but the substitution was the catalyst for Spurs' late goals.
Keane change
Keane, brought on for Defoe, sent Bale through and the left-back rounded Jones and squeezed home his finish from a tight angle.
Southgate was furious as Lennon appeared to be in an offside position when Bale was sent through, and the protests led to Boro's goalkeeping coach Paul Barron being sent to the dressing room.
The second goal came when Lennon cut inside Rochemback and found Huddlestone, who tucked away his header.
| Tottenham Hotspur |
Team Statistics |
Middlesbrough |
| 2 |
Goals |
0 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 9 |
Shots on Target |
1 |
| 7 |
Shots off Target |
4 |
| 5 |
Blocked Shots |
2 |
| 12 |
Corners |
6 |
| 16 |
Fouls |
12 |
| 7 |
Offsides |
6 |
| 2 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 55.3 |
Possession |
44.7 |
|
