Middlesbrough brought Tottenham's home record crashing down in emphatic style at White Hart Lane.

Massimo Maccarone, who Spurs had a chance to sign in the summer, sent Boro on their way with a first-half goal.

Steve McClaren's side then dealt the home side a double-blow with two goals in three minutes.

With Alen Boksic replacing Szilard Nemeth and Gareth Southgate and George Boateng also restored to the starting line-up, Boro forced a flurry of corners in the opening minutes

Dean Richards did well to cut out Franck Queudrue's inswinger which almost crept inside the near post.

And the Spur defender came to his side's rescue again on 12 minutes, diving to head over his own crossbar as Geremi's cross sought out Boksic.

Before the corner could be taken, Gary Doherty replaced Christian Ziege, whose first-team comeback against his old club ended prematurely because of injury.

It took Spurs 18 minutes to muster their first meaningful attempt at goal, with Les Ferdinand steering a header wide from Ben Thatcher's cross.

Simon Davies then tamely lofted a shot over the bar with time and space at his disposal on the edge of the box.

Boksic then squandered a good chance on the half-hour - but it was a temporary reprieve.

The Croatian turned provider, finding space on the right to measure a cross for £8.1m signing Maccarone, who calmly converted from close range.

Joseph-Desire Job squandered a chance to double Boro's lead three minutes, later when he headed weakly into Kasey Keller's arms from six yards out.

Spurs' response saw Robbie Keane's cross-shot drift beyond the far post.

Tottenham boss Glenn Hoddle sent Teddy Sheringham on at the start of the second half in place of Ferdinand.

And the former Man Utd striker almost touched home Steffen Iversen's header across the face of the Boro goal.

Spurs were then left reeling by a double blow.

On 55 minutes, Geremi drilled home Maccarone's pass to double Boro's lead.

Then, after Iversen's header struck the post, Boro swept to the other end and Job drifted unchallenged through the middle to shoot home.

Spurs struggled to string a worthwhile move together and resorted to a third substitution when Milenko Acimovic replaced Iversen with 25 minutes left.

Things could have been worse for Spurs, as Job struck a post in the final minutes.