A serious-looking injury to James Morrison threatened to mar a richly entertaining three-all draw between Middlesbrough and Tottenham at the Riverside Stadium.
The young winger required lengthy treatment on the pitch by medics after being knocked unconscious by an accidental 85th-minute kick in the head by Robbie Keane in the visitors' box.
However, by the time Morrison had been carried off on a stretcher and reached the dressing room he had regained consciousness.
Spurs had come back from the brink of defeat to snatch a point thanks to an 83rd-minute header from Egyptian striker Mido.
Boro, who had led at half-time courtesy of a double from Nigerian striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu, looked set for victory when Franck Queudrue crashed a 69th-minute header home off the underside of Paul Robinson's crossbar.
But it was Spurs left rueing the best chance of victory with Jermain Defoe springing the Boro offside trap in the 88th minute only to shoot straight at advancing keeper Mark Schwarzer.
The early stages indicated little of the drama which was to follow with what passed for decent action spoiled by the constant interruptions of referee Howard Webb.
Three men had been booked in a first 20 minutes devoid of chances before Boro entered into the festive spirit and gifted the visitors their opener.
A deep 25th-minute cross from the left by Young-Pyo Lee was fumbled by keeper Schwarzer under pressure from Mido.
Keane pounced to poke the loose ball just inside Schwarzer's right-hand post and give his side the lead with their first shot of the match.
But Boro were level four minutes later after a brilliant finish by Yakubu eight yards from goal in the Spurs box.
The Nigerian pounced after Southgate flicked on a Queudrue cross to crash a first-time volley past Robinson into the bottom corner of the net.
Viduka tried his luck five minutes later with a fierce long-range effort from the right flank which Robinson did well to hold.
Boro grabbed the lead two minutes from the break when Morrison cut in from the right and launched a scorching effort which deflected off Yakubu and flew into the net.
After a quiet start to the second period it was no surprise to see Spurs striker Defoe starting to warm up on the sidelines.
But before the England striker could make an impact Yakubu came agonising close to sealing his hat-trick with a 56th-minute header.
The Nigerian got on the end of Morrison's deep right-wing cross only to see his powerful effort brilliantly tipped over by Robinson.
Ehiogu came close from Queudrue's resulting corner but could not connect properly when the ball fell to him in the box.
Moments after Defoe's introduction in place of Reid Spurs found themselves with a clear chance to equalise at the other end.
Keane's right-wing cross was palmed by Schwarzer into the path of Mido but the Egyptian striker swivelled and fired his effort way over.
Spurs were level in the 63rd minute after Jermaine Jenas took advantage of his side's second free-kick in succession on the edge of the Boro box.
The midfielder curled a delicious right-foot shot around the wall and past Schwarzer into the bottom corner of the bottom left-hand corner of the net.
Morrison forced a save from Robinson straight after the re-start as the game increased its intensity and had referee Webb working overtime.
Boro regained their lead in the 69th minute when Queudrue connected with Fabio Rochemback's corner and his header hit the crossbar and bounced down just over the line.
Spurs equalised once again in the 83rd minute from a Mido header before Morrison required the attention of medics during a worrying period late in the game.
Defoe then charged clear after the restart only to shoot straight at Schwarzer as a tumultuous affair rightly ended with honours even.
