Egypt striker Mido, who was included in the starting line-up after Turkish forward Tuncay Sanli picked up an injury, put the visitors ahead in the 24th minute.

He controlled Afonso Alves’ pass inside the area, held off Sol Campbell before driving in a precise low shot past England keeper David James.

It is Mido’s third goal in four Premiership games as the former Tottenham Hotspur man maintained his fine start to the league campaign.

Defoe grabbed the equalizer in the 59th minute while Middlesbrough were playing with nine men.

Mido fell on the ground after Peter Crouch unintentionally elbowed him while French midfielder Didier Digard was waiting for the referee to give him the all-clear to step onto the pitch after undergoing treatment.

A swift passing move ended with Defoe hitting a low drive that went past Ross Turnbull at the near post.

Mido was replaced in the 84th minute, making way for Adam Johnson.

Defoe wrapped up a valuable victory for the hosts three minutes later after he capitalized on a Stewart Downing error to fire home from close range.

The defeat leaves Middlesbrough in eighth place of the league table with six points, just like seventh-placed Portsmouth.

Watch Midos' goal: