Middlesbrough 1-1 Tottenham: Lucas strike averts FA Cup upset

Lucas Moura spared Tottenham an FA Cup upset by scoring a second-half equaliser in his side’s 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough.

Jose Mourinho’s side have been in erratic form in the Premier League and they showed little improvement at the Riverside Stadium, where Ashley Fletcher scored his fourth goal in five games to give Boro the lead early in the second half.

Boro boss Jonathan Woodgate’s hopes of claiming a Premier League scalp against one of his former teams were dented as Lucas headed Spurs back on terms 11 minutes later, but the Championship club’s supporters will not begrudge him a grand day out at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the replay.

A troublesome afternoon for Mourinho saw midfielder Harry Winks suffer a suspected ankle injury, but it is defensive lapses and an apparent lack of confidence that should most concern the Spurs boss.

#UTB

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— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) January 5, 2020

Christian Eriksen kept his place in the Tottenham team amid reports linking him with a transfer to Inter and he went close to scoring after seven minutes, his shot from 20 yards hitting Boro keeper Tomas Mejias in the chest.

Tottenham were on top until Dael Fry’s powerful downward header produced a goal-line save by Paulo Gazzaniga, Middlesbrough’s counter-attacks proving more threatening than Spurs’ periods of pressure against a packed home defence.

The second half was five minutes old when George Saville’s chipped pass put Fletcher in behind the Tottenham defence and the former West Ham forward clipped the ball over Gazzaniga, who got a touch on it but could not keep it out.

However, the equaliser provided a reminder of Boro’s defensive frailties, Serge Aurier crossing to the far post where the diminutive figure of Lucas was allowed to head into the net unchallenged.

Fletcher stung Gazzaniga’s palms with a side-footed drive from the edge of the box as Spurs wobbled in the last 20 minutes, while substitute Erik Lamela and Lucas both had shots well saved by Mejias at the other end, but neither side could force a winner in a tense finish.

What does it mean? No win in three for Mourinho

Whether or not Spurs embark on a lengthy cup run, they must address an erratic run of form that has seen them win just one of their last five games in all competitions.

For long periods Tottenham were matched by a team that endured a 10-game winless Championship run between September and November, and the improvement the Premier League’s sixth-placed team eventually delivered did little to gloss over their shortcomings all over the pitch.

Fletcher keeps spirits high at the Riverside

Boro are one of the Championship’s form teams and Fletcher’s goals have been key to their resurgence after a torrid start to the season. The 24-year-old furthered his already glowing reputation with a cool finish and a first-rate performance here.

Captain Howson not quite the finished article

Jonny Howson’s conversion from midfield to defence has added composure to the Boro rearguard but he was guilty of slack marking when Lucas drifted in to score.

What’s next?

Boro will hope to extend their four-game Championship winning streak when they entertain Derby County on Saturday, while Tottenham attempt to put the brakes on Liverpool’s title charge as the Premier League leaders travel to North London.