Keane to the rescue for Spurs

Tottenham 2 Middlesbrough 1

Robbie Keane came off the bench to rescue Tottenham, after Middlesbrough almost snatched a point in a bad-tempered Barclays Premiership clash at White Hart Lane.

Keane fired home from long range in the 84th minute, just after coming on to chase the game.

Robert Huth had cancelled out Dimitar Berbatov’s spectacular opener just after the break, giving Boro hope of an unlikely point after Mark Schwarzer had kept them in the game.

Didier Zokora and George Boateng were dismissed following a melee on the touchline, as the match ended with an intensity it had lacked in the opening half.

It meant Spurs extended their winning streak at White Hart Lane to eight matches, while Boro are yet to record a Premiership away win this season.

With the form favouring a home win, Lee Young-Pyo and Zokora fashioned the first shots on goal – both from long distance – but neither troubled Schwarzer.

Jermain Defoe, who had scored five goals in his previous four starts, went a little closer in the 15th minute with a free-kick which just cleared the bar.

The England striker was Spurs’ main source of threat in the first half, next forcing a save from Schwarzer with a dipping drive after Berbatov had slid the ball to him on the edge of the area.

Berbatov had a tame penalty appeal waved away by referee Mark Halsey as Huth challenged. The German defender also blocked a Zokora run following a surging run, and Emanuel Pogatetz was able to clear as Defoe closed in on an open goal.

Stewart Downing, previously linked with a move to Spurs, had a long-range effort deflected for a corner just after the half-hour mark – Lee Cattermole failing to connect with a shot across goal from the set-piece.

Corners were proving difficult for Spurs to defend, and Pogatetz headed just wide under the challenge of full-back Pascal Chimbonda.

Steed Malbranque had a sight of goal at the other end, but Boateng dispossessed the French midfielder at the decisive moment.

Jonathan Woodgate then timed a tackle to perfection on Aaron Lennon with eight minutes left in the half when the winger was released down the left.

Defoe shot over from a similar position and then almost wriggled through on goal just before the break – but Pogatetz made a timely intervention, with Tom Huddlestone’s volley then forcing Schwarzer to tip over when the ball broke to him.

Huddlestone broke through two challenges and fired wide with a minute remaining in the half.

After finishing the first half strongly, Spurs were ahead within three minutes of the restart through Berbatov.

Huddlestone floated a free-kick to the far post, where Chimbonda headed back into the danger-zone, and the Bulgaria striker’s volley dipped over Schwarzer’s dive.

Defoe could have doubled the lead in the 55th minute after Zokora played him through – only for Woodgate to dash back and time his tackle.

Chimbonda then had a clearer opportunity when Defoe chipped a free-kick to the far post, but the full-back fired wide when he had plenty of time to control.

Mark Viduka was brought on for Boro for the last third of the game, replacing Cattermole, and the Australia striker added presence to the visitors’ attack.

Huth forced Paul Robinson to beat away a free-kick – the England stopper’s first save of the match – and half-time substitute James Morrison then fired wide when the ball broke to him.

At the other end, Lennon curled an effort over after Berbatov and Defoe had combined again to find their winger in space.

Lennon then released Defoe with a delicate reverse ball – but Defoe was denied by Schwarzer again,.

Boro were level with 11 minutes remaining.

Woodgate had a header cleared off the line by Malbranque, and Huth thundered home a volley after Pogatetz nodded in his direction.

But Spurs were back in front with seven minutes left when Huddlestone tapped a free-kick to Keane, who had just come on for Malbranque.

The Republic of Ireland striker, brought on straight after the goal, fired home with a powerful drive which Schwarzer got a hand to but could not keep out.

Boateng and Zokora were sent off with three minutes left after a brawl on the touchline sparked when the Boro midfielder was challenged by Lennon.

Keane was helped off injured, and Spurs held on for victory.