The Smogs try and hang on like "cling-ons on the starboard bow" to this "Tyne-Tees", "Wear-Tees" rubbish, but we know the truth.
As it happens, the Mackems are out of reach this season fighting for promotion in the Championship, leaving the honour of Top NE Derby to those down the road at Hartlepool and Darlington. And what an entertaining rumble it turned out to be, too, for those 10,000 who made the match.
15 arrests, each and everyone now banned from the Darlo Stadium, after a fight with police following Hartlepool's second goal.
Hartlepool fans were delighted to see their side set a new club record unbeaten run of 22 matches with a 3-0 win over Darlington.
Eifion Williams hit a double and Andy Monkhouse also scored as they ran out winners against their local rivals, who had themselves been 13 matches unbeaten.