McClaren frustrated as Mido earns Spurs point

Middlesborough 3 Tottenham 3

Boro, who had led at half-time courtesy of a double from Nigerian striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu, looked set for victory when Franck Queudrue crashed a 69th-minute header home off the underside of Paul Robinson's crossbar.

But it was Spurs who were left rueing the best chance of victory with Jermain Defoe springing the Boro offside trap in the 88th minute only to shoot straight at advancing keeper Mark Schwarzer.

Middlesbrough boss later Steve McClaren revealed an injury sustained by winger James Morrison was not as bad as was first feared.

Morrison required lengthy attention on the pitch from medics after being knocked unconscious in an accidental collision with Robbie Keane in the Spurs penalty area.

But McClaren said Morrison regained consciousness in the dressing room prior to the final whistle and is not expected to require hospital treatment.

McClaren said: "When we first went into the dressing room he had a smile on his face and a black eye, and it is not as bad as we thought. It looked very serious on the field and well done to the medics and physios for getting on and dealing with it quickly.

"It is concussion so we will have to assess it over the next 24 hours and see how bad it was."

McClaren admitted his frustration after once again seeing his side's fine attacking display eroded by individual mistakes which cost them dear at the back.

McClaren added: "We keep shooting ourselves in the foot because individuals not doing their jobs have cost us. We are not far away and if we can eradicate them and start keeping clean sheets then we will win matches because we are scoring goals.

"It is very frustrating and I am very angry with the outcome that possibly our performances are not deserving."

Tottenham boss Martin Jol is likely to be without striker Jermain Defoe for the festive programme after the striker limped off with an injured ankle.

Defoe appeared as a second-half substitute and almost made the difference after racing clear to fire a late effort at Mark Schwarzer. But moments later he hobbled off the pitch and now faces an anxious wait to find out the extent of his injury.

Jol admitted: "Jermain will probably be out for two weeks."

The Spurs manager also faces the loss in the new year of Mido to the African Nations Cup so it comes as little surprise he is urging his midfielders to continue improving their scoring records.

Jol said: "Jermaine Jenas scored like he scored against Manchester United and that is what we need more goals from midfield other than scoring from the strikers. If we are a bit cleverer we can win these sorts of games. Last year we could not do it and I think we have improved in certain areas and it showed."

Jol was particularly pleased with his side's fighting qualities in twice hitting back from a goal behind to grab a point.

He added: "This is the sixth time this season we have had to come back from behind and today we did that twice, and Jermain Defoe could have nicked it late on. I think we have got a great team spirit, physical strength and character but still it is disappointing to concede three goals.

"On the other hand if you score three then hopefully next time it will be four or five. We have a winning mentality now and we are getting better and better. Our target now is to keep winning and get into Europe."

MIDDLESBROUGH: Schwarzer, Bates, Southgate, Ehiogu, Queudrue, Morrison (Maccarone 89), Doriva, Boateng, Rochemback, Yakubu, Viduka.

TOTTENHAM: Robinson, Stalteri, King, Dawson, Lee, Jenas (Rasiak 81), Carrick, Davids, Reid (Defoe 56), Keane, Mido, Defoe (Brown 90).

Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire).