Mido sinks Spurs - Middlesbrough 2 Tottenham 1

Juande Ramos defended his Dimitar Berbatov snub as Spurs froze in the blocks in the race to catch the Big Four.

Late goals from David Wheater and former Spurs striker Mido powered impressive Middlesbrough to their first ever opening day win at a rocking Riverside.

It left a frustrated Ramos to face the music after the Spanish boss dumped unsettled Bulgarian star Berbatov on the bench for most of the game and the toothless Londoners had to wait until deep into stoppage time for Robert Huth's own-goal consolation.

Berbatov's latest snub fuelled speculation that the unhappy striker is set for a big-money move before the transfer deadline with European Champions Manchester United and Barcelona vying for his signature.

But Ramos insisted: "For the moment he's a Spurs player and I'm happy with him, he's part of the squad and I've nothing to say about him really. There's been no transfer request from him and I love great players."

Spurs looked much more of a threat after Berbatov was thrown on just after the hour to support Darren Bent - who'd hardly had a kick in a thankless role as lone striker.

Explaining his decision to go for Giovani dos Santos ahead of Berbatov, Ramos added: "We opted for Giovani because I thought his speed would trouble Middlesbrough as they tired later into the game.

"It's difficult when you've got new players, it takes time for them to settle and it's difficult in early season as you look to find rhythm.

"We've got to see if we can add in one or two areas and put this result behind us. It was an even game and the first goal was always going to be decisive."

Middlesbrough - who paraded new £3m arrival from Arsenal, Justin Hoyte, before kick-off - were full value for the three points and had Spurs on the ropes early when only a last-gasp block by defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto prevented Afonso Alves from breaking the deadlock.

England Under-21 defender Wheater, pressed into service as an emergency full-back, then saw what looked like a perfectly good header ruled out on 32 minutes.

Stewart Downing swung over a corner to the back post where Wheater, giving as good as he was getting from Michael Dawson, dived to head home.

His joy was shortlived as referee Martin Atkinson ruled that the big Teessider had got to grips just a little too much with the Spurs defender.

But Wheater wasn't to be denied and finally broke the deadlock with 19 minutes left, sweeping home a rebound after Alves diverted Downing's cross against the bar.

Mido ensured a miserable return south for Spurs with the killer second four minutes from time, the £6m Egyptian striker expertly deflecting home a cross shot from fellow sub Didier Digard.

Huth glanced in David Bentley's injury-time free-kick to rob Boro of a deserved clean sheet.

Delighted Boro manager Gareth Southgate said: "There was a belief around the stadium and when there's a feeling like that among the fans you want to reward that faith.

"We've had one or two wobbles in pre-season but we showed just what we can do because Spurs are a good side and this is a great result."

DIDYOU KNOW?

Boro's last home win over Spurs was in May 2005, when they won 1-0. Spurs drew last season and won 3-2 in April 2007.

HOW THEY RATED

MIDDLESBROUGH

Jones 6, WHEATER 8, Huth 7, Pogatetz 7, Taylor 7, Aliadiere 6, O'Neil 7, Shawky 7, Downing 7, Tuncay 8 (Digard 7), Alves 7 (Mido 7).

Manager Southgate 8

TOTTENHA M

Gomes 6, Zokora 7, Dawson 6, Woodgate 6, Assou-Ekotto 6 (O'Hara 6), Jenas 6, Modric 5, Lennon 5 (Bale 6), dos Santos 7 (Berbatov 5), Bentley 5, Bent 4.

Manager Ramos 6

NEXT FOUR IN THE PREM

MIDDLESBRO

LIVERPOOL (A)

STOKE (H)

PORTSMOUTH (A)

SUNDERLAND (A)

TOTTENHA M

SUNDERLAND (H)

CHELSEA (A)

ASTON VILLA (H)

WIGAN (H)

STORY OF THE GAME

M'BORO TOTTENHA M

35% POSSESSION 65%

7 SHOTS ON TARGET 2

5 SHOTS OFF TARGET 4

7 CORNERS 9

12 FOULS CONCEDED 14

3 OFFSIDES 1

1 YELLOW CARDS 2

0 RED CARDS 0

Referee M Atkinson 7

MAN OF THE MATCH

DAVID WHEATER

Scored one, had another harshly disallowed and helped Middlesbrough keep Tottenham out until the visitors took an injury-time consolation - all while playing in an unfamiliar full-back role. Overall a great start to the season for the England hopeful