Tottenham Hotspur News

reddevilleanne · Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Posts: 13228 Location: Nottingham

Mido earns Spurs a share of spoils
By Chris Stanton - Created on 18 Dec 2005

Mido's 82nd minute header rescued a point for Tottenham in a 3-3 draw at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium.

In a match that was high on incident and entertainment if a little short on quality, Spurs took the lead through Robbie Keane before Boro turned the match on its head prior to the interval with a brace from Yakubu.

Jermaine Jenas levelled with a free kick on the hour before Franck Queudrue's header appeared to hand the home side the three points but Mido was to have the final say.

The portents were less than promising, however, as the match quickly degenerated into a midfield battle high on misplaced passes but devoid of chances.

The early probing of George Boateng for the hosts and Andy Reid for the visitors threatened to enliven the mediocrity before the game finally burst into life midway through the first half.

It was Spurs who drew first blood. Lee Young-pyo's cross was inviting for goalkeeper and attacker. As Boro's Mark Schwarzer jumped to claim the ball the Australian collided with the right arm of Mido. Referee Howard Webb saw no infringement and with the loose ball dropping invitingly the chance was snaffled up by Robbie Keane.

The lead lasted just five minutes as Spurs failed to clear a corner. Frank Queudrue returned the ball with interest and Yakubu lurking at the back post volleyed home with the outside of his boot.

Boro's attacking threat had increased beyond recognition from what had gone before and a link-up between Yakubu and Mark Viduka saw the latter's shot claimed by Paul Robinson at the second attempt.

Despite more than a few hints of indecision in Schwarzer's backline Spurs could not find another route to goal and it was Boro who went into the interval one goal ahead courtesy of the drive of James Morrison and the good fortune of Yakubu.

The lively Morrison turned Michael Dawson and sped towards goal. The midfielder struck a rising shot which took an inadvertent touch from Yakubu leaving Robinson helpless in the Spurs goal.

Replays showed the deflection to be crucial and the Nigerian striker may claim the strike after his midriff redirected the ball on target.

The second half began with Boro seeking to assert their supremacy. Morrison crossed and Yakubu's header from six yards was firm but too close to Robinson.

Lee broke the offside trap but his cross was too high for Keane who retrieved the ball. The Irishman's squared effort was more accomplished and Schwarzer's inability to cut it out decisively presented a shooting opportunity to Mido who cleared the crossbar.

Spurs were level in the 62nd minute when, after considerable prevarication, Jenas placed a free kick over the wall and into the bottom left-hand corner of Boro's goal.

Morrison almost restored Boro's lead after interchanging passes with Yakubu but Robinson repelled the effort.

Doriva forced a fine save from Robinson at his near post but Spurs' reprieve was temporary as Fabio Rochemback's subsequent corner was met by Queudrue who gave Boro the lead with a header that struck the underside of the crossbar and cleared the goalline by a matter of inches before spinning back out. Tottenham, and Robinson in particular, were incensed but the assistant was correct in his assertion that the whole of the ball did cross the line.

Morrison and Boro pressed but it was Spurs who claimed the sixth goal of the game to restore parity once more - Michael Carrick's corner was met emphatically by Mido who had outjumped Queudrue to head past Schwarzer.

Robinson saved again before the harum-scarum contest was brought to an abrupt halt by a serious-looking injury to Morrison, who was knocked unconscious after being caught by the clearing boot of Keane.

Jermain Defoe almost delivered the knockout blow to Boro when one-on-one with Schwarzer but the custodian stood up well and both sides had to settle for a point which Boro manager Steve McClaren may legitimately claim should have been all three.