FA CUP: Middlesbrough Draw Against Tottenham To Force Third-Round Replay

Middlesbrough took the game to Tottenham and stunned them with an opener from Ashley Fletcher before Spurs responded to canceled the lead to force a third-round replay.

Spurs' captain Harry Kane was absent for an injury but every other lineup starters were all on the pitch. Yet, Middlesbrough were able to hold them down to a goalless first half.

On their return from break, George Saville's cross picked out Fletcher out in the pack and the striker ran into the box with the ball and smacked it into the net in between Gazzaniga's legs for the opening goal.

Since the game dominance was in Spurs' hands, they worked out an equalizer 11 minutes later as Serge Aurier picked out Lucas Moura in the box with a cross and he headed the ball in the net to cancel out the Championship side's lead.

Fletcher was first confused to be in offside position by Spurs' defense when Saville's cross got through to him, but flags were down and the English striker gained the advantage to race ahead and brilliantly finish it.

 "The Middlesbrough goal is offside. VAR would give [it as a goal from offside position]," Jose Mourinho argued after the match, however, he admitted Fletcher's goal was "good".

There were instances when Spurs were close to moving ahead in the first half but goalkeeper Tomas Mejias stopped the attempts. Also, Middlesbrough's McNair nearly deflected in Christian Eriksen's shot into the net for an own goal but missed the goal by an inch.

Likewise, Middlesbrough were also close to knocking in a goal as Dael Fry's reacted to a free-kick with header and caused a chaotic situation before Ryan Sessegnon picked the loose ball to calm the situation in Spurs' 18-yard box.