That's now four derby wins in a row for Newcastle against their old rivals and the victory that the under-pressure Graeme Souness so desperately needed.
Twice Newcastle squandered first-half leads against a gallant Sunderland who helped turn this into one of the best all-time derby encounters.
Indeed, Newcastle became the first side to score three goals in these derby clashes since they last achieved that in 1985.
Shola Ameobi - only in the side because of Michael Owen's hamstring injury - scored after 34 and 37 minutes, only for his efforts to be cancelled out by first Liam Lawrence and then Stephen Elliott.
It was then left to Turkish international Emre to snatch the points with a stunning 63rd minute free-kick to increase Newcastle's derby wins over Sunderland to a magnificent seven - 47 to 40 with the other 38 drawn.
Emre's run to congratulate Souness when he put away what proved to be the winner, told its own story.
It was Emre who carved the first opening after 11 minutes, his surging run ending with Kelvin Davis palming his 25-yarder into the air.
Andy Gray got goal side of the very disappointing Jean-Alain Boumsong, but could only direct his effort at Shay Given before Davis denied Ameobi on the turn and Alan Shearer curled an effort inches wide.
The match then burst to life after 33 minutes with three goals in three minutes.
Ameobi opened the scoring when he lost his marker Gray to plant Emre's corner beyond Davis.
Within less than a minute, and Newcastle still basking in their glory, Lawrence cut in from the left to beat Given and equalise.
United went straight back in front when Charles N'Zogbia hooked the ball in from the left and Ameobi again reacted first to climb above Steven Caldwell and plant his header past Davis.
This time United managed to hang on for five minutes before Sunderland equalised for a second time with a stunning curling effort from Elliott even though Boumsong will be disappointed he missed two opportunities to close him down.
It was surprising that only goal was achieved in the second half as Newcastle visibly tired.
A number of players picked up knocks while Emre, Ameobi and Nobby Solano who have been out injured, ran out of steam.
Emre though left a lasting mark after 63 minutes after Caldwell had clattered into Ameobi from behind.
With Shearer and Solano champing at the bit to take the 25 yard free-kick, the little Turk took control and curled his effort over the ball and in off the far post with Davis well beaten.
Elliott was unlucky with a lob that saw Given only able to watch as his Republic of Ireland team-mate saw his effort crash to safety off the bar and with that miss went Sunderland's hopes.