Dimitar Berbatov produced a performance worthy of the game's biggest stage to keep Tottenham in with a shout of qualification for next season's UEFA Cup.

The brilliant Bulgarian fired home a sensational 47th-minute volley and set up the first of strike partner Robbie Keane's double as Martin Jol's men produced a performance oozing class.

Only a late rally from Boro kept them in with a shout, with Mark Viduka briefly narrowing the deficit and Emanuel Pogatetz shredding Spurs nerves with an 89th-minute consolation.

But anything other than three points would have been especially harsh on the visitors, who were a cut above throughout a windy afternoon at the Riverside Stadium.

Berbatov proved a handful for a Boro rearguard featuring their new permanent signing Jonathan Woodgate from the start as Spurs grabbed the initiative.

Woodgate agreed a new four-year deal with Boro in midweek but will hope to avoid opponents of the likes of Berbatov, as the Bulgarian stretched him to the limit.

Berbatov twisted past Lee Cattermole to fire a low effort which almost deceived Mark Schwarzer then flashed another effort just past the goalkeeper's right-hand post.

It was almost a one-man show as Berbatov was at the centre of every early move and it was entirely predictable that he should be heavily involved in the visitors' opener.

Berbatov squeezed past Pogatetz in the left side of the Boro box before knocking the ball across to Keane, who slid home his 20th goal of the season.

Boro, reliant as ever on Stewart Downing's wing play in the early stages, fashioned their first real chance just before the half-hour when George Boateng's drive was deflected narrowly wide.

But they could do little with their increased possession and Cattermole risked the ire of the frustrated home fans when he blazed a 34th-minute cross high and wide of target.

It was back to Berbatov, who launched another swift counter-attack which ended in a low cross towards Keane, who missed the ball in front of goal by inches.

Boro came close to a barely-deserved equaliser in the 43rd minute when Viduka turned in a crowded box and struck a low shot inches wide of target.

But any hope the home side had of pressing at the start of the second half were undone by a moment of pure brilliance by Berbatov in the 47th minute.

Hossam Ghaly found space down the right flank and timed his cross to perfection, dropping it onto the right boot of Berbatov who volleyed past a helpless Schwarzer from 25 yards.

Spurs came agonisingly close to a third in the 56th minute when Steed Malbranque sent Keane clean through, but the Irishman knocked his shot inches wide under pressure from Schwarzer.

Incredibly, the visitors were almost made to pay for their miss as the home side roused themselves for a final flurry, beginning with Viduka's shot over the crossbar in the 63rd minute.

The Australian headed home Downing's cross in the 66th minute and almost put Boro level within a minute with a point-blank effort which was brilliantly saved by Paul Robinson.

But the visitors were not to be denied and struck back to effectively seal the points when sub Aaron Lennon cut the ball back from the goal-line and Keane powered the ball past Schwarzer. Pogatetz pulled a further goal back for Boro but Spurs got the points they deserved.

Teams:

Middlesbrough Schwarzer, Davies (Arca 64), Woodgate, Pogatetz,Taylor, Cattermole (Johnson 40), Boateng, Rochemback, Downing,Viduka, Yakubu (Lee 70).

Subs Not Used: Jones, McMahon.

Booked: Yakubu.

Goals: Viduka 66, Pogatetz 89.

Tottenham Robinson, Chimbonda, King, Dawson, Rocha,Ghaly (Lennon 72), Zokora, Jenas, Malbranque, Berbatov, Keane.

Subs Not Used: Cerny, Defoe, Huddlestone, Ifil.

Booked: Malbranque.

Goals: Keane 12, Berbatov 47, Keane 83.

Att: 27,861

Ref: L Mason (Lancashire).