Alan O'Brien was the hero last night as Newcastle cantered to a 4-0 victory against Hartlepool at Victoria Park.

The fleet-footed wide man dazzled the Pool defence in a mesmerising opening 45 minutes of bewitching wing play.

Manager Graeme Souness could do far worse than hand the 20-year-old a place on the bench for Wednesday's Intertoto Cup clash against Deportivo La Coruna after last night's impressive showing.

The Magpies' speedy winger tormented throughout and capped an excellent display by providing first-half assists for goal scorers Daryl Smylie, Marc Walton and Michael Chopra, before Smylie added his second and his team's fourth from the edge of the box to compound Pool's misery ten minutes from the end.

Had Adam Boyd levelled from the spot on the half hour it may have been a different story.

United's side included four players with first-team experience: Peter Ramage, Robbie Elliott, Martin Brittain and Chopra. Midfielder Hugo Vianna was expected to play some part in last night's proceedings but was pulled out of the travelling squad two hours before kick-off to discuss terms with a mystery club about a possible move.

With Chris Westwood leaving for Walsall, Pool boss Martin Scott had another opportunity to see how his intended first-choice pairing of Mickey Nelson and former Sunderland defender Darren Williams gelled.

Pool went closest to scoring in the 15th minute when a lapse of concentration from Magpies' centre half Paul Huntington allowed Boyd to tee up Eiffion Williams at the back post but he shot over from six yards.

Two minutes later the visitors handed the home side a lesson in how to finish when midfielder Smylie smashed home O'Brien's cross from the left.

Boyd missed the opportunity to level after 28 minutes when he tamely shot at goalkeeper Tony Caig from the penalty spot. The 23-year-old striker's trickery had forced Huntington to handle inside the box.

The Magpies' response was swift and once again it was speedy winger O'Brien who created it. This time Walton was the main recipient of his good work.

The Irishman claimed his third assist seven minutes before the break when he left Ben Clark and Williams for dead before providing the cross for Chopra to head past Konstantopoulos from close range.

Pool enjoyed more possession in the second period but Smylie ended any hopes of a comeback when he fired home number four from the edge of the box.

Pool: Konstantopoulos, Clark, Nelson (Jones 45mins, Craddock 54mins), Williams, Brackstone, Williams (Istead 60mins), Strachan, Clarke, Robson, Boyd (Llewellyn 45mins), Daley. Subs not used: Provett, Sweeney, Appleby

Newcastle: Caig (Smith 75mins), Atkin, Ramage, Huntington, Elliott, Brittain, Smylie, Gate, O'Brien (Farman 85mins), Chopra, Walton (Finnigan 75mins). Subs not used: Smith, Edgar, Farman, Finnigan

* Teenage Lincoln prospect Jack Hobbs is on the verge of completing a dream move to Liverpool.

The 16-year-old underwent a medical yesterday and the two clubs have agreed a deal for the player which is expected to net the Imps up to £750,000.

Hobbs said: ''It's a dream come true for me and I'm really excited about becoming a Liverpool player.''

l Reading have taken former France Under-21 international Rodrigue Boisfer on trial for the week before the Championship campaign begins.

The 24-year-old midfielder spent the last six years with Italian side Genoa but is now looking for a new club following their demotion to Serie C1.

l Cheltenham manager John Ward has confirmed his interest in Northern Ireland international striker James Quinn, 30.

Read more about Hartlepool here.