More woes for Conte and Spurs
Antonio Conte made his stance on the FA Cup crystal clear by naming a very strong XI to take on Middlesbrough.
Rather than making a few changes here and there following three games in quick succession, the Italian elected to name the team he started in last Saturday's 4-0 triumph over Leeds United.
Given Middlesbrough's recent form in the Championship and the prospect of a potential giant killing, Conte certainly wasn't taken any chances against Chris Wilder's men.
The fact Spurs also had six days until their next Premier League match against Everton also helped his cause as it allowed him to go strong.
Not impressed at all by their showing at Burnley last Wednesday as he made his feelings known after the game in his post-match press conference, he again will have been infuriated about their showing on Teeside.
Spurs were just not at the races and deservedly went out of the competition with Boro full value for their win.
Just as things appear to be on the up for Conte, Spurs somehow find a way to come crashing back down to earth with an almighty bang.
It's a real problem for him and one that needs solving ASAP.
Kane's awful free-kick
Tottenham fans tend to know what is going to happen when Harry Kane takes control of the ball when the team have a free-kick in a good position.
Scoring a free-kick away at Aston Villa in November 2014 that helped keep Mauricio Pochettino in his job, the England captain has taken numerous since but has yet to find the back of net.
Without a free-kick taker at the club following Christian Eriksen's exit to Inter Milan two years ago, Kane is usually the man with the ball in his hand unless Eric Dier steps up.
Well, his latest effort could well be the worst one he has struck yet as it trickled along the ground and struck the wall as he slipped when connecting with the ball.
It came as no surprise to see Dier take Spurs' next one, with the centre-back seeing his curling effort tipped around the post by Joe Lumley.
Angry Romero
Having knocked out Manchester United in the previous round, Wilder's Middlesbrough side were eyeing up another big scalp in the famous competition.
Not doing enough to test Hugo Lloris in the first half, the Championship outfit took the game to Spurs after the break and created some good openings.
During that period the home fans believed they should have had a penalty with right wing-back Isaiah Jones going to ground when Ryan Sessegnon was putting pressure on him.
Supporters went ballistic when referee Darren England waved away the claims, although replays showed exactly why he did so as the Boro player went to ground far too easily as he tried to win a penalty.
Cristian Romero was not impressed at all and duly went over to Jones when he was sat on the ground and had a few choice words for him.
Doing the same at Leeds last Saturday when Jack Harrison wanted a free-kick, Romero is not afraid to speak his mind to his opponents.
Why Dier was fuming with Son
Middlesbrough sensed an FA Cup giant killing the longer the tie went on with Tottenham unable to see off the Championship side.
Going close through Matt Crooks' header in the second half, Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun had a golden opportunity to open the scoring but curled his effort over from the edge of the area.
The chance all came after Son Heung-min, who had received a pass from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, lost the ball in the middle of the park and Wilder's team broke upfield as a result.
The South Korean believed he should have had a free-kick on the halfway line but the referee wasn't having any of it.
Having seen Spurs almost concede from that attack, Dier came straight out of the backline to Son, who appeared to be disagreeing with Hojbjerg, and had a go at his teammate for his role in Boro's chance.
He was not happy at all.
Son's stinker
On a hugely disappointing night for Tottenham in Middlesbrough with the vast majority of players failing to make an impact on proceedings, Son endured a night he would rather forget about.
Outstanding at Man City just over a week ago, the 29-year-old was the complete opposite at the Riverside Stadium as he was completely off his game.
Struggling in the final third when he was in possession of the ball with his touch and general play totally letting him time and time again, it was perhaps a surprise that he remained on the pitch for 120 minutes.
Despite his woes against Boro, Son did go close to the opener in the first half of extra time but his near-post flick from Dejan Kulusevski's cross was saved expertly by Lumley.
Conte needed so much more from Son and the rest of his teammates on a night he will find hard to forget.
