As one disgruntled visiting supporter observed on departing the scene of the latest false dawn for Tottenham Hotspur, it was déjà vu, all over again.

The heightened expectation with which they entered the season only magnified the disappointment that accompanied defeat, one that was far more comprehensive than the score-line suggested.

Chief among their concerns is how to replace the 46 goals provided last season by Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov. The former is no longer at White Hart Lane and the latter is apparently there in body only after his relegation to the substitutes’ bench. “I don’t think his head’s there any more,” Mido, Middlesbrough’s former Tottenham forward who guided home the decisive second goal, said of the Bulgarian, over whom Manchester United and Barcelona are casting covetous eyes. Mido added: “He’s looking for a move.”

Juande Ramos claimed that Berbatov remains committed, but his actions in confining the forward to a 25-minute cameo spoke louder than any words. “Berbatov fought for the cause,” the head coach said. “He put himself about and tried his best. He’s not put in a transfer request as far as I’m aware and we hope he remains with us.”

Jonathan Woodgate, Tottenham’s former Middlesbrough defender, attempted to put an increasingly complex situation in simple terms. “It’s up to Manchester United to make a bid and up to Spurs to accept it or decline it,” he said. “I’m sure the chairman will decide if he stays or if he goes.”

Woodgate suffered a first defeat in six games against his hometown club, with David Wheater, whose career has been on an upward curve since Woodgate’s move to London, opening the scoring after Afonso Alves’s second-half effort came back off the bar.

An injury-time own goal glanced in by Robert Huth was more than the visiting team deserved for an utterly ineffective display, although to concentrate on their shortcomings would be grossly unfair on a Middlesbrough side exhibiting rich promise.

“Our aspirations are intact,” insisted Ramos, wisely taking the long-term view. “There’s a long way to go and we’re on the right lines.”

Middlesbrough (4-4-2): B Jones 7 – D Wheater 8, R Huth 7, E Pogatetz 7, A Taylor 7 – J Aliadière 6, G O’Neil 7, M Shawky 7, S Downing 7 – Tuncay Sanli 8 (sub: D Digard, 72min), A Alves 7 (sub: Mido, 83).

Substitutes not used: R Turnbull, M Emnes, A Johnson, R Williams, J Grounds. Booked: Digard. Next: Liverpool (a).

Tottenham Hotspur(4231): H Gomes 6 – D Zokora 7, M Dawson 6, J Woodgate 6, B Assou-Ekotto 6 (sub: J O’Hara, 77) – J Jenas 6, L Modric 5 – A Lennon 5 (sub: G Bale, 65), G dos Santos 7 (sub: D Berbatov, 65), D Bentley 5 – D Bent 4.

Substitutes not used: T Huddlestone, C Gunter, C Sanchez, L King. Booked: Bentley, Jenas. Next: Sunderland (h).

Referee: M Atkinson. Attendance: 32,623

Classic Times Fantasy Football is back. Sign up for £3 a team or 3 for £6