Middlesbrough may have lost 2-1 to Tottenham, but it was a very flattering scoreline that does not reflect the embarrassing performance seen for the majority of the game. Though not spared completely, Aitor Karanka's blushes were toned down by the inspired substitution that saw Adama Traore spark a lifeless Boro into action after a woeful first-half showing, with Ben Gibson able to reduce the arrears with a header.
Toothless Boro were asking for trouble by failing to deal with an organised Tottenham, who peppered the home side with some clever creative play from Dele Alli and Son Heung-Min.