NEWCASTLE United won the vital Tyne-Tees derby 3-1.

Newcastle started the game looking the brighter side but Middlesbrough opened the scoring at St James' Park thanks to a Habib Beye own-goal after three minutes.

Newcastle were level just three minutes later as Geordie Steven Taylor rifled the ball into the back of the net.

After that, Newcastle held sway as the home-side stepped up the pressure for a lead but Boro continued to look dangerous on the break in a cracking first half.

But with 18 minutes to go to full time, Obafemi Martins scored with almost his first touch after coming on as substitute for Michael Owen, who continues his Toon goal drought.

And with four minutes to go Lovenkrands volleyed Newcastle's third goal.

After the match, police reported six arrests for a variety of minor offences.

Chief Superintendent Neil MacKay, head of Northumbria Police's operations unit, said: "The vast majority of fans behaved well. Six arrests out of a 51,000 crowd is low and I would like to thank all the stewards involved for their assistance.

"I would also like to commend the action of police officers who remained professional at all times, despite a number of difficult situations which they managed to difuse quickly."