Tottenham ended a run of six straight defeats with a win over 10-man Boro. A dour first half finished on a controversial note when Franck Queudrue was given a straight red card for a two-footed tackle on Noe Pamarot.
And shortly after the break, Spurs went ahead when Pedro Mendes crossed for Jermain Defoe to slot home.
Substitute Fredi Kanoute made sure of a first league win under Martin Jol when he charged down Mark Schwarzer's kick and the rebound found the net.
It was only Tottenham's second home win of the season - but there looked little prospect of such a productive afternoon when the game got underway.
Middlesbrough dominated possession, although they were unable to create any clear-cut chances for the recalled Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Mark Viduka.
When an opportunity did come Viduka's way, from Stewart Downing's free-kick, the Australian striker was penalised for pushing.
Stirred into action, the hosts immediately produced their first effort on goal, Defoe smashing a free-kick against the wall before sending the rebound just past the post.
Spurs' confidence was gradually growing and Defoe shot over after a slick passing move involving Reto Ziegler and Robbie Keane.
But an otherwise mediocre game was drifting towards half-time when referee Phil Dowd stunned the visiting supporters by dismissing Queudrue.
George Boateng was booked for protesting and Queudrue stayed on the pitch for several minutes before he was eventually persuaded to leave by the Boro bench.
Boateng was slightly fortunate not to follow Queudrue off just before the break when he escaped punishment for a late tackle on Ziegler.
And the controversy did not end there, with Steve McClaren leaving his place in the stands to make sure he made his feelings known to the referee at half-time.
Spurs continued to improve after the interval and it was appropriate that the tireless Defoe broke the deadlock.
But the striker's celebrations were cut short when he was booked for taking his shirt off - his fifth yellow card of the season meaning he will miss the next game.
With Boro deflated, Spurs spurned several chances to extend their lead.
Defoe twice just failed to pick out Keane at the far post with crosses, while Ziegler came close from long range and Thimothee Atouba headed straight at Schwarzer.
Finally, Kanoute, who replaced Keane, charged down Schwarzer's clearance and poked the rebound past the scrambling goalkeeper.
Kanoute continued to terrorise Boro's tiring defence but the Mali striker could not find a second goal to complete a satisfactory afternoon for the hosts.
