A five-goal spree completed a double over the London side and sent Middlesbrough fans home in a happy mood.
Ironically Spurs had two scoring chances before Boro turned the game upside down with a three-goal burst in five minutes.
The goals, and the dismissal of Chris Perry for a professional foul, crushed Spurs' prospects of avenging a 3-0 defeat at White Hart Lane in December.
Middlesbrough dominated the second half, hit the woodwork twice, and missed scoring chances with only goalkeeper Kasey Keller to beat.
McClaren summed up the win, commenting: "The win highlights the progress we have made this season. We have had only two home defeats and some of the quality of our football has been breathtaking.
"I thought Szilard Nemeth produced some fantastic football."Spurs' manager Glenn Hoddle, however was not a happy man after the game, hitting out against the penalty decision by referee Uriah Rennie.
"The referee had a key moment in the first half. He had to use his assistant," claimed the former England boss"It was not a penalty because the challenge was outside the area. Suddenly we were 2-0 down and down to ten men after being totally in control. That kills you as a coach."Nemeth was the star of the show.
On his return to the Boro attack after scoring two goals for Slovakia in a midweek international, Nemeth both scored and assisted in the goals.
Keller saved from Juninho after the debatable penalty award but the little Brazilian followed up to tap the ball over the line.
Middlesbrough substitute Massimo Maccarone piled on the agony in the second half but Spurs had the consolation of scoring a superb 25-yard free-kick through Jamie Redknapp.
The loss of Perry was a cruel blow to Spurs but at the same time Hoddle must have been concerned over the lack of midfield strength.
Clearly, the Spurs boss has some rebuilding to do in the summer.