CAN'T STAND THE WHEAT

Middlesbrough 2, Tottenham 1

DIMITAR BERBATOV was first dumped on the Spurs bench and then dramatically pushed out superstar-like on to centre stage.

But the £30million-rated Man- chester United target was upstaged by a 21-year- old local discovery whose idea of a big night out is a trip to bingo.

Middlesbrough’s David Wheater is proving a revelation as a scoring defender and he did it again yesterday — twice.

Wheater, who has already notched in pre-season, crashed in a first-half header that was ruled out then smashed in the opening goal in the 71st minute.

Boro’s emergency right-back prefers to play at centre-back. But England boss Fabio Capello will surely note that his versatility may be a useful asset to his squad.

There was less commitment from Berbatov — and Spurs boss Juande Ramos over the the striker’s future.

The Spaniard said: “He is a Spurs player and I am happy with him.

“He has not asked for a transfer but we have been concentrating on the game, preparing today and yesterday and all week.

“He was on the bench because we opted for Giovani Dos Santos. We thought his speed would trouble Middlesbrough. When they tired, we decided to throw on Berbatov on.”

Asked if he wanted to keep him, Ramos added: “I love great players.” With Berbatov on the sidelines, there was a blank look about Spurs for over an hour. Boro made the chances and missed them, while Spurs looked pretty with no punch.

Ramos swallowed his pride and sent on the Bulgarian wantaway.

And Berbatov was booed by the near-4,000 travelling Spurs fans when he appeared in the 65th minute.

He immediately slid through a great ball for Jermaine Jenas, who was denied by keeper Brad Jones.

So instead of being in front, Ramos then watched Wheater pounce six minutes later.

Spurs reject Mido appeared as a late sub to score with his first touch and make it 2-0. Robert Huth’s own goal in the dying seconds did not make things better for Ramos.

This was a new-look side and Ramos claims they are ready to challenge the top four.

But they will have to find some firepower to do it.

Ramos, who has targeted Andrei Arshavin and Roque Santa Cruz, added: “We’ve got to see if we can add one or two and play as a team.”

This was a new-look Boro as well. For the first time since he took over, it was Gareth Southgate’s team with only one Steve McClaren signing left in the 18.

Boro have trumpeted the changes, promoting the image of a young side with goals potential and no big-time veterans topping up their pensions.

That is what the pre-season brochure said, it sold tickets and turned out to be true.

Wheater looks a major academy product and could be sold for a lot of money. But he will not be allowed to leave after signing a new deal.

Southgate said: “He enjoys scoring. At the end of training when he should be defending he is shooting. We switched him today but good players can play anywhere and he is a very good player.”

There was not much between the sides but Boro made the chances.

Afonso Alves was the guilty man in the first half after missing them — but Boro were more concerned with accusing referee Martin Atkinson of getting it wrong.

The West Yorkshire official ruled out a Wheater strike in the 33rd minute from a Stewart Downing corner, leaving Southgate furious.

He said: “We thought David had been fouled.”

It was not clear why the strike was disallowed after Wheater got there first with keeper Heurelho Gomes stuck helplessly on the edge of the six-yard box.

Alves should have scored earlier but was denied by a saving tackle from Benoit Assou-Ekotto.

Then Alves lifted another opportunity over when he should have hit the target. And he was weak with the third chance, an easy save for Gomes.

Spurs had plenty of the ball but there was no edge in the first half with David Bentley coming closest by twice driving wide.

Neither keeper had a genuine save to make before the break but Bentley did make Jones work in the 49th minute from 20 yards.

Jones denied Jenas then Boro struck when Downing’s corner was half-cleared, Alves’ return ball nicked against the bar and Wheater was there to pounce.

Spurs striker Darren Bent powered one just wide and Wheater and Jones almost threw away the lead but scrambled the danger clear.

Then Mido added insult to injury by finishing off a move involving Gary O’Neil and Didier Digard.

Huth’s headed own goal was strictly academic.

Do you think Middlesbrough were worthy winners and will Spurs ever enter the top four?

Tell us at the Middlesbrough Fan Zone and Spurs Fan Zone