Nemeth's strike saves Maccarone's blushes and clinches Boro win

SZILARD NEMETH came off the bench to save record signing Massimo Maccarone's skin as Middlesbrough clawed their way past Tottenham.

Middlesbrough 1 Tottenham 0

The Slovakian struck with his sixth goal of the season 16 minutes from time to clinch three Barclaycard Premiership points after seeing the Italian fail to beat Kasey Keller with a penalty on the hour and Joseph-Desire Job waste a golden opportunity to fire his side ahead.

Nemeth's intervention came as a huge relief to the home sections of a 31,789-strong crowd just as it looked as though his side's propensity to miss out at the Riverside Stadium would cost them dearly once again.

Last night's victory was only the Carling Cup holders' fourth of the league season at home and took their points tally in their own back yard to 17, one fewer than they have managed on their travels.

But they were just about worth it after they produced a better second-half display following a dreadful opening 45 minutes during which only an excellent save from Mark Schwarzer denied Darren Anderton the opening goal.

With Spurs arriving at the Riverside in the midst of an horrific bout of footballing schizophrenia which had seen them score no fewer than 15 goals in their previous four games but concede 13, hopes may well have been high among the Teesside faithful.

The Teessiders flickered briefly around the halfway point of the opening 45 minutes when Zenden tested Keller with a free-kick which was intended as a cross but almost crept into the top corner, and Mendieta later created a shooting chance for the Dutchman, but Dean Richards got his sizeable frame in the way to block before he could do any damage.

McClaren replaced the unfortunate Davies with specialist full-back Stuart Parnaby at the break and sent on Maccarone in place of Doriva and opted for a 4-3-3 formation.

Boro instantly looked more dangerous and Keller was forced to tip a rising 47th-minute shot from Juninho over after Mendieta and Maccarone had combined on the edge of the Spurs box.

Referee Mark Halsey pointed to the spot on the hour after Job was fouled, but Maccarone's penalty was saved.

McClaren replaced Job with Nemeth on 68 minutes, and the Slovakian needed just six minutes to make his mark. Maccarone dummied Franck Queudrue's firmly-struck pass to allow his strike partner to score.

Robbie Keane blasted a left-foot shot just wide nine minutes from time and substitute Helder Postiga squandered a late chance as Boro limped gratefully to the finishing line.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Schwarzer, Davies (Parnaby 45), Ehiogu, Southgate, Queudrue, Mendieta, Boateng, Doriva (Maccarone 45), Zenden, Juninho Paulista, Job (Nemeth 68).

TOTTENHAM: Keller, Carr, Gardner, Richards, Taricco, Anderton (Postiga 86), Brown (Poyet 80), King, Jackson (Dalmat 64), Keane, Defoe.

Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire).