You can’t play Leeds every week, Antonio.
It was always likely that Saturday’s 4-0 stroll at Elland Road was a something of an illusion when it came to assessing the return to form of Antonio Conte’s Tottenham.
We should have known they would revert to type against a team with a degree of competency – not to mention superior spirit.
Josh Coburn sealed a magnificent win for Middlesbrough as they dumped Tottenham Hotspur out of the FA Cup
The teenage substitute scored at the start of the second half of extra time with a thunderous finish past Hugo Lloris
Having already knocked out Manchester United, Middlesbrough have taken another top flight scalp with Antonio Conte’s side
For Burnley last week read Middlesbrough this, both 1-0 victors against a Spurs side whose white shirts were the same colour as the flags they might as well have waved in pursuit of their first trophy in 14 years.
Chris Wilder’s Boro ran further and faster than their Premier League opponents and deservedly booked their place in the last eight when teenage substitute Josh Coburn smashed the only goal in the second half of extra-time.
Spurs, though, were poor, reverting to the clueless bunch who had lost four in five before their weekend reprieve.
Conte came into this game claiming his threats to quit last week were a strategy designed to bring about improvement in his team. Likely story. It was as calculated as a toddler tackling algebra.
The Spurs boss, rather, was in a huff following defeat at Burnley and only victory at Leeds restored his rationale.
But if Conte was to maintain the idea that his motivation was to impart a winning mentality on his players, naming a weakened team here would not tally, especially as the competition was their only hope of silverware. That is why Spurs were at their strongest, unchanged from Elland Road.
Tottenham stars including Sergio Reguilon look glum after suffering yet another cup competition exit to lower opposition
Tottenham are also on a horrendous run of form having lost five of their last six games across all competitions
Son Heung-min and Steven Bergwijn both missed opportunities for Spurs during the entertaining FA Cup fifth round tie
Not that you would have known as they failed to register a shot on target in the first half.
To think, they were 3-0 up after 27 minutes at Leeds.
Matt Doherty should have scored for the visitors when rounding the stranded goalkeeper Joe Lumley but skied over the crossbar.
Wilder had challenged his players to prove they could compete with top-flight opponents, referencing what he did at Sheffield United by turning a team of Football League journeymen into Premier League stars.
They certainly answered his call, making mugs of Spurs in every department.
Harry Kane, outstanding on Saturday, was having trouble simply standing up here.
One routine chance to control and turn in the first half ended up with his slipping on his backside, much to the enjoyment of a sell-out crowd.
His second half began with a similar episode of ignominy. With Lumley’s gloves braced for their first involvement of the evening, Kane sized a free-kick 20 yards out.
Again, however, the England captain was left in an embarrassed heap on the turf, his scuffed effort barely making the defensive wall. Cue home laughter.
A theme was emerging and, when Kane peeled away in celebration just before the hour having turned in from close range, his oblivion to an offside flag was again the source of much amusement.
At least by this point we had a contest worthy of its prime-time terrestrial broadcast and Eric Dier finally drew a save from Lumley with a free-kick destined for the top corner.
Matt Doherty fired over the crossbar for Spurs having beaten Boro keeper Joe Lumley (not pictured) to a loose ball
But Middlesbrough were the better team across the game and racked up plenty of chances to win in normal time
Dejan Kulusevski was a lively presence in an otherwise stunted Tottenham Hotspur attack at the Riverside Stadium
But it was Boro who should have led when Matt Crooks strode unmarked onto Jonny Howson’s corner only to somehow head over from four yards.
Wilder searched for answers in the bottom of a Lucozade bottle – how he may have wished it was something stronger given the unfathomable nature of the midfielder’s miss.
Normal time closed in a frenzy of chances, the best of them a header for Howson glanced wide when, like Crooks, he found himself unattended from a corner.
Extra-time was all about Boro, too, and they followed up on their fourth-round victory at Manchester United when Coburn swapped passes with Crooks and drilled beyond Hugo Lloris.
It was a convincing finish from the academy graduate. Spurs, meanwhile, were anything but.
They might have snatched an equaliser when a corner caused panic and deflected off a red shirt before Lumley scooped from his line.
In truth, it would have been thoroughly undeserved. Conte’s side left the field heads bowed and so they might, for this was a typically flaky display that, in reality, should not have come as any surprise.
They now return to their pursuit of a top-four finish.
On this evidence, it will be a long shot. It also tells us how just how easy it has become to play against Leeds.
Harry Kane had a goal correctly ruled out for offside for the visitors who were largely dominated by the Championship side
Antonio Conte is on a miserable run as Spurs boss, as he watched his last chance of silverware this term slip away meekly
RE-LIVE ALL THE ACTION FROM THE NIGHT’S FA CUP AND PL DRAMA
120+1min: Three added minutes, as you were. Spurs aimless and hopeless – and not just this evening?
120min: Eric Dier gets his head to a near post corner, but Lumley saves to turn it behind. Spurs only now starting to throw everything forward.
117min: Three minutes left, and Spurs might need reminding they are going out the FA Cup again here.
Boro make a change as Howson departs in favour of Sol Bamba. Boro cruising.
113min: Nothing from Tottenham. Middlesbrough are sitting back and inviting Spurs who can hardly produce a single chance.
Conte throws on 17-year-old Dane Scarlett for Ben Davies.
110min: Son tries to hit back for Spurs but his low strike across goal is well saved. That trophy drought is going on a little longer for the visitors who have been really poor once again.
107min: It’s been coming and it’s another Boro sub who has the goal. Josh Coburn collects a pass inside the box before hammering an effort past Lloris. Unstoppable.
Interesting change for Spurs. Kulusevski has been Tottenham’s best player, and he has been replaced by Sergio Reguilon – probably to stop Boro from bombarding the left side of Spurs.
Lee Peltier is also on for Boro.
105min: Spurs though again nearly find the net. They have been awful for about 10 minutes but Kulusevski’s drag back is back heeled towards goal by Son, whose shot is well saved by Lumley… just. But just is enough.
104min: Who are the Premier League side here? Another chance for the hosts as Marcus Tavernier sees his back post shot well saved by Lloris.
103min: Another half-chance for Boro the ball falling for Jonny Howson 25 yards who blasts way over the bar.
100min: Spurs’ little energy burst at the start of extra time has evaporated as Boro come back into it. Matt Crooks just missing out on poking the ball past Lloris.
97min: Harry Winks carelessly gives the ball away for Spurs, then misses his professional foul attempt to leave Spurs under huge pressure on the counter.
Winks to his credit tracks back, and fortunately for the visitors there are enough white shirts back to clear the danger.
Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane in the team huddle before the extra time
94min: Spurs looking a little sharper at the start of this half, which makes you wonder what on earth they were playing at for the first 90 minutes.
91min: Away we go and a chance already as Dejan Kulusevski’s low drive across goal from 20 yards is well tipped behind by Joe Lumley… only for a goal kick to be given, to the Swede’s understandable fury.
To extra-time we go in what has been a super cup tie despite the lack of goals. Boro have been the better team so an interesting extra 30 minutes coming up.
And yet Spurs nearly steal it! A counter attack down the right sees a ball by Dejan Kulusevski find Son Heung-min at the back post, but his weak header is kept out by Joe Lumley.
BIG chance for Boro. A ball is threaded into the box for Isaiah Jones, whose low shot across goal is brilliantly saved by Hugo Lloris before Spurs scramble it behind for a corner.
And then another chance! Howson heading wide at the back post. Spurs should be well beaten by now as we enter three added minutes.
And that seals all three points, with Jamie Vardy heading home a back post cross from Harvey Barnes.
Antonio Conte looks far from happy with his side, and he throws on Steven Bergwijn along with Emerson Royal.
The former plays a one-two with Harry Kane on the counter but poised to shoot deep inside the box, Paddy McNair cuts across to make a superb block.
Spurs have been really poor in the second half. None of their passes are sticking together and Boro have dominated them. Eventually you sense they are going to get punished for this woeful display.
Huge goal down the bottom of the Premier League. On a night when Burnley are trying to leave the bottom three, they fall behind with James Maddison curling home.
I haven’t forgotten about our fourth game this evening – but as we enter the final 10 minutes, it is still goalless at Turf Moor.
Leicester City's Caglar Soyuncu and Kasper Schmeichel in action with Burnley's Maxwel Cornet
Cracking game in this second half. Middlesbrough now getting on top as Jonny Howson fires a 20-yard free-kick just wide of the near post top corner. Spurs there for the taking.
Harry Kane has the ball in the net for Spurs after firing home from close range, but the England captain is correctly flagged for offside.
Three minutes after coming on, it looks like Jairo Riedewald has won it for Palace, firing home with eight minutes to go.
If you want an upset, the Riverside is looking a little tasty. Boro should be ahead but somehow Matt Crooks bullets a header unmarked over the bar.
Dejan Kulusevski of Tottenham Hotspur is tackled by Jonathan Howson of Middlesborough
It should be 3-0 but somehow Aymeric Laporte misses a two-yard tap-in by poking it wide. Luckily it won’t matter – but his team-mates are going to be joking about that in the next training session.
Meanwhile just three minutes left at London Road, where rather than a comeback, City are now playing some exhibition football chasing a third goal. Legs have run out among the home side, but they have been given City an honest game this evening.
…and I admit it’s a beauty, but that first touch from Jack Grealish. Makes it look so, so easy.
Excellent equaliser from Stoke this. It starts from the goalkeeper and works its way down the left in a passing move before Romaine Sawyers squares to the back post for Josh Tymon to convert.
No shots on target by the way, despite that Doherty howler…
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Speaking of second half goals, Palace make the breakthrough against Stoke with Cheikhou Kouyate firing high into the net at the back post following a corner kick.
For an hour, we had a cup tie. It’s game over now though it seems. Phil Foden produces a top class long ball for Jack Grealish who brings the ball down under control like it’s a bag of cement before rolling home a cool, casual finish. Silky and superb goal.
https://twitter.com/itvfootball/status/1498760868791832576
Meanwhile a big let off for Boro. Matt Doherty beats keeper Joe Lumley to a pass outside the box, but with an open goal and a defender in between, the full-back terribly blasts over.
We have a goal! On the hour Riyad Mahrez strikes, cutting inside from the left before shifting his quick feet with a dummy of the shoulder and weaving in a brilliant low finish across goal (through the legs of a defender) and into the bottom corner.
Half-chance for the hosts who continue to hold in there well against Spurs. Paddy McNair pumps a long ball for Isaiah Jones to run onto but Hugo Lloris is off his line well to gather.
No improvements at all form City. In fact I am not exaggerating by suggesting that Peterborough have been the better team in this second half so far. They’ve certainly looked the more likelier side to score as we approach the hour mark.
What a chance for the Posh! A ball falls loose for Sammie Szmodics about eight yards out, but with a snap shot he can only drag his shot wide. Probably should have done a little better than that.
Two changes for Manchester City as Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake make way for Aymeric Laporte and John Stones. Two centre-back changes, Pep?
It’s half-time at Selhurst Park.
Spurs have started well at the Riverside Stadium but they are stumbling into the same problems as City – a stubborn home side.
Antonio Conte’s side are controlling the game but haven’t created too much.
Where are the goals? I can’t help you there. But Burnley do at least have the ball in the net after Aaron Lennon’s effort drops for Maxwel Cornet at the back post only for his tap-in to be ruled out for offside.
Huge cheers from the home fans like their side has won the game. Mind you, their side were magnificent in making the Premier League leaders look very ordinary in that first half.
Peterborough United's Steven Benda attempts to claim a cross into the penalty box
Not too much happening at Selhurst Park by the way. We’ve had just the one shot on target so far from the home side and not much else.
Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha (centre) in action with Stoke City's Jordan Thompson
Remember, a win for Burnley against Leicester would take them out of the relegation zone at the expense of Everton.
A little better from Pep Guardiola’s men. Jack Grealish skips into the box before laying the ball off for Ilkay Gundogan, whose curling low effort across goal just evades the bottom corner.
Manchester City are seeing a lot of the ball and are managing to get into the Posh box quite often. What they can’t do though is create a clear cut chance. It’s been a great opening 25 minutes to the game for the Championship strugglers who have looked lively on the counter attack.
No goals still but we do have cards. Ake, realising he has been beaten for the ball by Ricky-Jade Jones responds by wiping out the forward with a poor tackle. He had to do it – and the defender is certainly not complaining about his booking.
But it’s the home side who go closest to scoring! Jeando Fuchs gets in behind Nathan Ake chasing a through ball but his low near post effort is well pushed behind by Ederson.
“We’ve had a shot chant the home fans, who are clearly enjoying the opening few minutes/”
Phil Foden of Manchester City is challenged by Jeando Fuchs of Peterborough United
And just in case you thought the fans didn’t realise it was him, they’ve just done it again!
City have dominated the first nine minutes but as Gabriel Jesus lays the ball off to the left-back, he blasts a first time strike way over.
Zinchenko may have all the support he needs regarding his off-field concerns, but on the pitch he isn’t getting away with anything.
A long range drive flies way off target from the full-back and the home fans are showing no hesitation to give him the ‘wa-hey!’ treatment.
Nearly a disaster in just the second minute for the hosts. Steven Benda casually drops the ball for a long clearance only for Gabriel Jesus to read it, close it down and see the ball rebound off him for a goal kick.
Worth pointing out that Zinchenko is captain for City this evening, as Gabriel Jesus getting us underway.
Remember there is still a cup tie to be played. And bottom of the Championship, Peterborough United will be hoping to cause a huge shock against the Premier League leaders.
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Home and away fans have applauded the Ukrainian amid the carnage in his homeland. Even the Posh mascot has been running around with a Ukraine flag!
And he is showing his support for Ukraine.
The Foxes though will be desperate for three points this evening though. They haven’t won a Premier League game this year!
…and those scarf sellers know a marketing opportunity when they see one too!
And they either start at a different time or are featuring in another competition. Here is this evening’s feast in an easy to glance format.
Wembley is on the horizon now for the winners of the fifth round and while it has been buried into a mid-week slot this season, this is still a huge game for many teams involved in the competition.
That includes most of those featuring tonight and especially Peterborough United who at home to Manchester City will be hoping to produce a major shock against the Premier League leaders and champions.
Good evening all! Team news coming up next!
The FA Cup fifth round gets underway to provide the midweek drama, with three ties including Manchester City’s trip to Peterborough United all featuring on Tuesday.
The Championship’s bottom side will be hoping to cause a huge shock against the Premier League champions, as will Middlesbrough when they host Tottenham Hotspur.
Crystal Palace will also be targeting a quarter-final place when they host Stoke City.
Follow Sportsmail’s DAN RIPLEY for live FA Cup fifth round coverage including build-up, team news and updates.
Elsewhere, Burnley and Leicester are also going head-to-head in the Premier League, which we’ll keep you up-to-date with.
Dan Ripley
Host commentator