Spurs v Middlesbrough

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Pascal Chimbonda believes Tottenham's form at White Hart Lane will put them in contention for European qualification - despite their troubles away from home.

Spurs have not won away in the Barclays Premiership this season but have a strong record at home, with Middlesbrough arriving in north London on Tuesday.

Six Premiership away wins in their last campaign put Spurs in the shake-up for a Champions League place and, with plenty of other teams struggling for away form, Chimbonda feels maintaining their home form will keep them in contention this time around.

``We take a lot of points at home, we play very well so I think even though we are struggling away we can still finish in the top six and qualify for Europe,'' said the 27-year-old France full-back.

Chimbonda featured in the 3-0 defeat at rivals Arsenal on Saturday and is pleased to be back at home for the clash against Boro and Saturday's visit of Charlton.

``We have a lot of games left in the season and plenty of time to turn it around,'' he added.

``We now have two home games in a row and we can climb the league if we win them.

``It's good to have them so soon after the Arsenal game, I think we have to win them both.''

Martin Jol could bring in Jermaine Jenas after the midfielder was given 45 minutes against Arsenal following his recovery from a calf problem.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto could be dropped after he was replaced at half-time by Lee Young-Pyo against the Gunners.

Jol is looking for his side to show maturity following another disappointing away performance.

``We need to grow up a bit and be more physical and stronger up front and at the back,'' said Dutchman Jol.

``We have players who are talented and get lots of praise - (Dimitar) Berbatov, Benoit, guys who have done well in Europe - but they have to do well in these sort of games as well.''

Teemu Tainio was brought into the side for the Arsenal clash and Jenas could be pushing the Finland midfielder for a starting berth, with Hossam Ghaly suspended.

Jol added: ``I wanted Tainio to be the link with our forward players and we wanted to control midfield that way, but if you cannot keep the ball there's no chance.''

Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing is warning his team-mates to expect a Tottenham backlash after their controversial derby defeat.

The Teessiders head for White Hart Lane with their own sense of injustice smouldering away after a 2-1 home defeat by Manchester United.

Manager Gareth Southgate was left fuming by the penalty decision which handed Louis Saha the chance to fire the visitors ahead after Cristiano Ronaldo had gone down with little encouragement under Mark Schwarzer's challenge.

However, Jol was even angrier after a tight offside call and two disputed spot-kicks in their loss at the Emirates Stadium.

Downing said: ``They are going to be hurt by that. It is a massive game for them with the all the rivalry, and Martin Jol will not accept that.

``I would imagine they are going to come out all guns blazing - but so are we because we lost as well.

``It promises to be a good game and hopefully, we will get what we need, not them.''

Southgate was furious with Ronaldo's contribution to Saturday's result, which ended his side's three-game unbeaten Premiership run.

However, it was the lapse in defence which allowed Darren Fletcher to head home the winner two minutes after substitute James Morrison had levelled which ultimately cost Boro.

Despite his annoyance, Southgate was realistic enough to know defeat by the league leaders was always a strong possibility, and he is looking for a swift response in north London.

He said: ``There was always the danger we would not get a positive result on Saturday, but tomorrow night is no less important to us.

``The reward is exactly the same, three points, and we will pick ourselves up very quickly and get ready to go down to Tottenham.

``They have been a bit up and down and they had a poor result on Saturday which they will want to bounce back from.''

Downing was asked to play in a narrow central midfield trio rather than in his usual left-wing berth against United as Southgate opted for a 3-5-2 formation, although he switched to 4-4-2 with Morrison's arrival in place of the ill Jonathan Woodgate.

However, the 22-year-old insists he is happy to play wherever he is asked.

Downing said: ``There are lads sitting on the bench and not even in the team. I am out there playing, so I do not see why I should be moaning and disappointed.

``You play where the manager puts you and you have got to perform.''

source: soccernet.com

Let's get a win under our belt here.

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Half time: 0 - 0

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Robbie Keane came off the bench to secure Tottenham a 2-1 win 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.

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

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

Boro were level when Huth thundered home a volley after Pogatetz nodded in his direction with 10 minutes remaining.

But Spurs were back in front with seven minutes left when Huddlestone tapped a free-kick to Keane, who had just come on as a substitute for Malbranque, and his effort rifled into the net and past a despairing Mark Schwarzer.

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

Keane was helped off injured before the final whilst but his side held on for victory to keep the momentum going on home soil considering their indifferent form away from home.

source: soccernet.com

[kennethlindheim]

A little harsh to send of Zokora and Boateng.

[Reynaldo7]

Zokora deserved it but Boateng didn't

Zoks ran in after Lennon put a massive hit on Boateng hahaha I was laughing he got smashed by a featherweight, a shoulder charge worthy of Rugby League.

Watched bits and pieces of the game Schwartz should have saved that last goal and well the goal scored against Spurs was just shocking marking easily could have been avoided.

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I unfortunately didn't get to watch the game so I'd like to hear more input from those that did, but on paper it looked like Spurs dominated and did deserve the win. Is that a fair assumption?

[Reynaldo7]

Yeah the only result that should of went Borough's way was the red card situation. Everything else was Spurs really.