Marlon King bagged a brace as Birmingham twice came from behind to beat high-flying Middlesbrough 3-2 in a pulsating Championship clash at St Andrew's on Friday night.
Boro captain Grant Leadbitter headed his first Championship goal of the season to put the visitors ahead before King, who had earlier hit the outside of a post, picked himself up to draw level from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time, an equaliser City scarcely deserved.
Scott McDonald capitalised on some shambolic defending from Pablo Ibanez to nudge Boro back in front just after the hour mark but, again, the home side drew level courtesy of substitute Wade Elliott's volley, which really should have been kept out by Jason Steele.
But there was nothing fortunate about King's matchwinning second, a sublime low finish across Steele in the 81st minute to claim three much-needed points for Lee Clark's side, ending a four-match winless run.
Blues were first to threaten courtesy of towering Serbian striker Nikola Zigic but his header from the free-kick of loanee Rob Hall, making his full debut, went narrowly wide.
The visitors' attractive passing style was certainly easy on the eye and it was they who broke the deadlock after 14 minutes when Andy Halliday's left-wing cross was nodded home by Leadbitter from six yards.
Birmingham came within inches of a leveller soon after when Steele's fingertips nudged King's low effort on to the outside of a post following a flowing counter.
Jack Butland twice saved from Emmanuel Ledesma before, out of nowhere and with half-time approaching, the hosts drew level.
King turned Andre Bikey, who tripped the striker in the penalty area, and King himself stepped up to convert.
Boro started the second half strongly and McDonald beat Butland just after the hour mark, capitalising on defensive hesitancy from Ibanez before firing home in a goalmouth scramble.
Boro keeper Steele saved well from Spector but was soon at fault for Birmingham's equaliser as he failed to keep out Elliott's 25-yard volley.
And it was left for King to have the final say, finishing superbly after Boro had given the ball away to sub Peter Lovenkrands in the middle of the park.
The news will come as a blow to Spurs striker Jermain Defoe, who claimed earlier on Friday that Beckham, who plays his final game for the Los Angeles Galaxy this weekend, would be welcomed to Spurs with open arms.
Tottenham tried to sign Beckham on loan two seasons ago during the MLS off-season but the deal fell through, although the former England captain did train with the north London club for six weeks.
Villas-Boas reckons that - even at 37 - Beckham is a top player, but insists he will not be offering him a contract.
"He is such a wonderful player," the Tottenham manager said.
"The rhythm of the Premier League is intense but he has so much experience of it.
"He brings so much to English football. That's why everyone is anxious to see which move he is going to take.
"It would be good to have him back in Europe, but not here, no. I don't think so."
Having won six Premier Leagues and one Champions League at Old Trafford, Beckham has previously stated he has no desire to play for another English top-flight club other than Manchester United.
However, that did not stop Defoe from earlier declaring the former Real Madrid should come to Tottenham.
The Spurs striker told Absolute Radio's Rock 'N' Roll Football: "He can come to Spurs if he wants - we'll have him here.
"He's a fantastic player and I think a credit to the game.
"If you talk about someone that's done everything in a game and to still want to play and still have another challenge and still want to achieve something, when you've achieved so much, I think that's a special person.
"He's someone that I look up to, a legend in the game."
Defoe is on the brink of surpassing Beckham's goal tally for England, with both on 17.
"Sorry Becks but I think I'll do it," he said.
"One more goal. It would be nice, not because of overtaking people, but it's always nice to score goals for your country.
"It's something that I've always wanted to do and then, when you do it, it's the best thing in the world."
