Pat Sheehan, The Sun: Boro just could not deliver enough quality in the box but they shook Tottenham rigid when Robert Huth hammered home 10 minutes from time.
Spurs had so many chances to wrap this up that it was almost embarrassing but Boro never flinched as they dragged themselves back into the game.
After total first-half dominance, Spurs took the lead three minutes after the restart.
But any Tottenham fan who thought it was all over bar the shouting was horribly wrong.
Slowly and bloody-mindedly, Boro upped their game and took the fight deep into Tottenham territory to haul themselves level.
Mike Walters, Daily Mirror: Jermain Defoe miss at least half a dozen chances, and it looked as if Tottenham would pay for it when Robert Huth snatched a 80th-minute equaliser for plucky Boro.
But Robbie Keane who had only been on the pitch for three minutes, smashed Tom Huddlestone's short free-kick past Aussie keeper Mark Schwarzer with six minutes left before Zokora and Boateng were sent off following the brawl on the touchline.
For all Tottenham's crisp passing and good intentions, it was Boro who came closest to an early breakthrough, Yakubu's deflected shot spinning uncomfortably close to England keeper Paul Robinson's right-hand post.
But they were soon being pinned back.
Defoe nearly doubled Tottenham's advantage later but was thwarted by a magnificent last-ditch tackle from Jonathan Woodgate.
Bill Edgar, The Times: Middlesbrough conceded a goal shortly after scoring themselves, dozing as Tom Huddlestone took a quick free kick seven minutes from time to allow Robbie Keane to fire home the winning goal for Tottenham Hotspur. Just four minutes earlier Robert Huth had equalised for Middlesbrough after a smart turn.
Jermain Defoe almost cost Martin Jol's side points by missing six half-chances to score but goals by Dimitar Berbatov, which capped a classy display, and Keane deservedly saved the day.
The dramatic denouement also included red cards for Didier Zokora, of Tottenham, and George Boateng, the Middlesbrough player, after Aaron Lennon's challenge on Boateng caused a flare-up.
Oliver Brown, Daily Telegraph: For Middlesbrough it was a frustrating, fractious defeat. One moment of magic from Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov, unleashing an exquisite volley, was followed by a late Robbie Keane strike before both sides were consumed by a red mist.
The fracas only served to cloud the contribution of Berbatov in setting Tottenham on the path to victory.
Middlesbrough toiled, lacking penetration.
In Tottenham's attack, Jermain Defoe was easily matched by the pacy Didier Zokora.
Where a bite was missing from Middlesbrough's strike force, Jonathan Woodgate, continuing to impress on his season's loan from Real Madrid, was a towering influence at the back. The expert timing of one tackle on Lennon said much about the defender's importance to Southgate.
But there was nothing Woodgate or anybody could do to shackle Berbatov once Tottenham raised their energy in the second half. But Middlesbrough refused to yield meekly.
Jon Brodkin, The Guardian: No questions could be asked about Tottenham's spirit when they responded to Middlesbrough's 80th-minute equaliser by snatching the victory they deserved.
The search for a win ought never have become so desperate. Spurs' failure to kill the game after Dimitar Berbatov's exquisite opener allowed Boro back. Two openings fell to Jermain Defoe, who was lively with much of his work but should at least once have beaten Mark Schwarzer.
A mild game erupted in the closing minutes when Didier Zokora and Boro's George Boateng were sent off after a set-to by the touchline.
Zokora was among the home players who performed with particular intensity. The early tackles won by the Ivorian and Tom Huddlestone set the tone.
Yet Tottenham's first-half dominance failed to produce a goal. Middlesbrough's three centre-halves, Jonathan Woodgate, Robert Huth and Emanuel Pogatetz, impressed and twice Schwarzer came to their rescue. He saved from Defoe during one forceful Spurs spell and tipped over Huddlestone's spectacular effort as pressure built again before half-time.
Little was seen of Boro as an attacking force. The visitors were never able to make numerical superiority count in central midfield.
Tim Collings, The Independent: Both teams had a man sent off as a competitive Premiership match ended in ill-tempered outbursts during a wild final quarter.
The visitors' early play was in a 3-5-2 formation.
Neither side seemed switched on in the first half, when a crowded midfield produced few chances. Jermain Defoe fizzed, while Tom Huddlestone forced a diving save.
After the interval, and two tactical changes by Southgate, Tottenham took the lead from the first of two decisive set-pieces.