Tottenham - 2 Middlesbro - 0: With the arrival of Edgar Davids from Internazionale to join Michael Carrick in their midfield Tottenham are now blessed with two distinguished deliverymen. But until Spurs work out the pair's respective rounds such a blessing will remain disguised.

At 32, Davids' better days may be behind him, but on Saturday he showed sufficient vigour, along with his usual sharp, accurate passes and tenacious tackling to suggest he will cope with the English season. Then again, the end of October may be a better time to judge his appetite for the slog.

Middlesbrough's initially dull, defensive approach offered Davids a chance to impose a positive influence on the game, which he did with some success. Eventually, he and Carrick may complement one another - although the immediate impression was of two players with contrasting styles failing to find a common purpose.

Carrick's studious football involves seeking out space behind opponents with passes designed to exploit the speed of Jermain Defoe and the strength in the air of Mido as well as opening up the wings. Davids tends to use the ball short and sharp, giving and getting and darting forward to continue linking up the play. Here the problem was that neither player advanced from midfield with any regularity once he had instigated an attack.

The best support Defoe and Mido received was from each other. Mido, in fact, gave a rare exhibition of selfless creative play. Nevertheless, it was Davids who caught the eye, bustling around telling everyone where they were going wrong and even lecturing his coach, Martin Jol, on the folly of returning the ball quickly for a throw-in when Spurs were two up and playing out time.

Davids tried a few tricks as well, none of which came off. There was an audacious bicycle shot which miscued and a slick backheel that caught everyone by surprise, including his own attack.

Spurs deserved to win because their attitude was more positive, but might easily have lost had Middlesbrough accepted the chances they created. With his defence weakened by injuries and a suspension, Steve McClaren sent his team out to contain rather than contend.

McClaren's decision to introduce Mark Viduka for the second half added potency to Boro's attack. Viduka's ability to hold the ball up and lay it off helped set up scoring chances which first George Boateng then Stewart Downing wafted over the bar. Paul Robinson also made two stretching saves. Thus Tottenham found themselves clinging anxiously to the lead they had acquired in the 49th minute, when - inside the Middlesbrough half - Defoe took the ball and ran at the defence before beating Mark Schwarzer from near the penalty arc.

Certainly Spurs needed the second goal they were gifted with 15 minutes remaining. Defoe found Mido in space to his right and, although Carrick had taken up a better scoring position, the Egyptian opted for an oblique shot which lacked power yet still slipped through Schwarzer's grasp.

Spurs fans will be feeling chirpy after two wins, but the loss of Wayne Routledge for up to two months with a stress fracture in a foot is bad news.

Guardian Service