After falling a goal behind, United ran out comfortable winners as Duff levelled before the break then added two more in the second half with new signing Guthrie coming off the bench to record a goal on his Magpies debut.

United went into the game with with Alan Smith partnering Obafemi Martins in attack.

Nicky Butt took the captain's armband in a midfield which also included James Milner and Charles N'Zogbia alongside goalscoring hero Duff.

David Edgar was given a rare start in the back line alongside Jose Enrique at left-back, with Claudio Cacapa and Steven Taylor in the centre of defence and Shay Given in goal.

Danny Robson gave Pools the lead on 16 minutes in front of a Victoria Park corwd of more than 4,000.

But Republic of Ireland winger Duff equalised five minutes before the interval.

After the break Guthrie and Shola Ameobi replaced Martins and Enrique with N'Zogbia moving to left-back.

Duff put Newcastle in front early in the second half before Guthrie added the third with a shot which took a deflection before finding the back of the net.

In the closing stages Duff completed his hat-trick.

Youngsters Ben Tozer and Callum Morris got a taste of first team action when they were introduced in the second period, replacing Edgar and Cacapa respectively, as did Fraser Forster as he took over in goal from Given.

Newcastle Unied: Shay Given, David Edgar, Jose Enrique, Steven Taylor, Claudio Cacapa, Damien Duff, James Milner, Nicky Butt (c), Charles N'Zogbia, Obafemi Martins, Alan Smith. Subs: Fraser Forster, Danny Guthrie, Shola Ameobi, Frank Wiafe Danquah, Ben Tozer, Callum Morris, Mark Doninger, Jonny Godsmark, Darren Lough.

Attendance: 4249