Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi took advantage of a weakened Middlesbrough defence to fire his side to a 2-1 victory at the Riverside.
The 24-year-old set up the opener, an own goal by George Boateng, before sealing the points with a strike on the stroke of half-time, and he could have had more if he showed more composure in the early stages.
It meant back-to-back victories for Newcastle while Boro - who pulled a late goal back through Boateng - can concentrate on the two cup competitions they are still in having virtually secured Premiership safety.
The north-east derby fell three days after Boro's UEFA Cup exploits against Basle and three days before their FA Cup clash with Charlton, with Steve McClaren's team selection suggesting the fixture was the calm between two storms.
With Gareth Southgate rested ahead of the tie against the Addicks, Boro's defence struggled against a lively attacking performance from Ameobi, supported by Alan Shearer.
Shearer did not have the chances of his strike-partner enjoyed, but it was clear the veteran wanted something from his last Tyne-Tees derby, throwing himself into tackles and using his frame to disrupt Boro defenders.
Franck Queudrue and Ugo Ehiogu were both sporting head bandages from kick-off, and Newcastle's powerful attacking pair immediately tried to take advantage of the patched-up Boro defence.
After four minutes Emre found Nolberto Solano in room on the right and the Peruvian crossed for Ameobi six yards out at the far post, but the striker flashed wide after his initial header failed to find Shearer.
Solano then tried his luck from long range, although his drilled effort flew over the bar and failed to trouble Boro goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.
Solano was seeing plenty of the ball on the right flank early on, and he caused panic in the Boro penalty area with a low cross, but Ameobi failed to capitalise when Ehiogu trod on the ball and temporarily lost his bearings.
Ameobi should have scored after 15 minutes when Solano chipped a ball to him behind the Boro defence. With the hosts' defenders expecting but not getting an offside flag, Ameobi carelessly flashed an ugly volley wide and over.
Aiyegbeni Yakubu created the first Boro chance of note after exchanging lofted passes with Fabio Rochemback in the 20th minute, but the Nigerian striker could not get any power on his header as he ran through with just Shay Given to beat.
With the game always on the brink of becoming a heated encounter, Emre did little to help the situation with a reckless challenge on Boateng.
Referee Alan Wiley initially allowed play to continue before booking the Turkey international, with Ameobi suggesting Boateng was feigning injury.
Ameobi was in the thick of the action, almost playing Lee Bowyer through in the 29th minute before Ehiogu cleared.
From the resulting corner Newcastle took the lead, Ameobi heading Solano's set-piece to the far post where Boateng appeared to get the last touch as Bowyer and Titus Bramble challenged.
The visitors appeared to grow in confidence, with Charles N'Zogbia off target twice with long-range efforts, the latter getting deflected for a corner.
Ameobi also thought he should have had a penalty, too, when he went down under the challenge of Chris Riggott in the area after Stephen Carr had pulled the ball back from the right.
Wiley waved play on but Ameobi was not made to wait long get on the scoresheet.
On the stroke of half-time Solano chipped a ball for Carr to surge into the penalty area and although the full-back's progress was halted, Ameobi drilled the loose ball into the far corner.
McClaren's response was to bring on Andrew Taylor and Mark Viduka at half-time for Queudrue and Adam Johnson, yet Boro were still frustrated, illustrated by Andrew Davies' hack on Ameobi in a harmless area of the pitch.
Solano had a dangerous free-kick deflected for a corner after 54 minutes, with Shearer heading over the resulting set-piece.
Ameobi was eager to pounce on any indecision in the Boro defence, although he picked up a booking after 57 minutes when he robbed Doriva but went crashing into Boateng.
Bowyer was fortunate to escape sanction, however, three minutes later for his high challenge on Davies.
Davies was subsequently replaced by Massimo Maccarone, who received an ovation from Boro fans following his late goal against Basle.
Boateng pulled a goal back with a volley that deflected in off Bramble, but Newcastle held on for three points.
