Tottenham 2 Middlesbrough 0:The full moon hung over White Hart Lane and, for a moment, the scene looked set for another Martin Jol horror show.

Having watched their team dominate the first half but fail to garner reward, and then feel Middlesbrough edge their way back, the Tottenham support reacted with fury to Jol's decision to replace Jermain Defoe, the crowd favourite, in the 69th minute.

Defoe strode off, muttering into the night air. The jeers rang around the ground.

Three minutes later, however, Jol could punch the air with vindication. Robbie Keane, Defoe's replacement, rolled a ball forward for Gareth Bale and he powered through a static Middlesbrough defence, who froze in anticipation of an offside flag against Aaron Lennon.

The winger, however, was deemed not to be interfering with play and Bale finished.

Tom Huddlestone headed Tottenham further ahead shortly afterwards, from Lennon's centre, and the Tottenham support completed their change of tune, chorusing Jol's name afresh. The board may doubt the Dutchman, but the fans would insist that they never did.

Jol admitted it would have been a "huge risk not to take this competition seriously" and, while he neglected to elaborate on the personal nature of that risk, he remained true to his promise to field a strong team.

By contrast, there was a makeshift feel to Southgate's team. Injury deprived him of Mido, Jeremie Aliadiere, Julio Arca and Jonathan Woodgate, among others; his only fit senior striker was Lee Dong-gook and he was an isolated leader of the line. Jol dared not contemplate being outmanoeuvred here.

The Dutchman focused fully on returning his side to winning ways, against the background noises at the club that have threatened to drown out the serious business on the pitch.

These are turbulent and uncertain times at Tottenham.

Jol heard yesterday that Jurgen Klinsmann, the former White Hart Lane favourite, wanted a return to management, having stepped down as Germany coach after last year's World Cup.

Jol need not worry this time. Klinsmann is believed to be more tempted by Chelsea.

The home crowd showed their support for Jol from the off and his team enjoyed the territorial advantage in the first half. They came and went, however, with Jol cutting an understandably agitated figure.

The best chance of the half fell to Teemu Tainio. Defoe, making his first start of the season, to great acclaim, crossed from the right, but Tainio, unmarked six yards out, could not summon either power or direction in his header and Brad Jones saved.

In times of angst, it has become the norm for Tottenham to be booed off at half-time. That they weren't reflected the crowd's appreciation of the team's endeavours, if not the end product.

Middlesbrough, though, sent on a second striker for the second half, Tom Craddock. Their ambition rose above neutral and they found a foothold. The set-piece jitters resurfaced in the Tottenham defence.

The home crowd grew nervy.

Jol decided to act, sending on Robbie Keane for Defoe, much to Defoe's fury and that of the crowd, and Didier Zokora for Jermaine Jenas.

It was to prove, however, a stroke of genius.

TOTTENHAM:Robinson, Chimbonda, Kaboul, Dawson, Bale, Lennon, Jenas (Zokora 69), Huddlestone, Tainio, Berbatov, Defoe (Keane 69). Subs not used: Cerny, Bent, Rocha. Booked: Dawson, Tainio.

MIDDLESBROUGH:Jones, Young (Davies 80), Riggott, Wheater, Taylor, Cattermole, Boateng, Rochemback (Owens 76), Shawky (Craddock 46), Downing, Lee. Subs not used: Schwarzer, Hutchinson. Booked: Rochemback, Cattermole.

Referee: K Stroud (Hampshire).