Newcastle continued to have chances - Shola Ameobi, Alan Smith and Duff all coming close before the latter sealed his hat-trick in the closing stages with a delightfully curled shot past Lee-Barrett.

BBC: Hartlepool 1-4 Newcastle

Almost immediately, Alan Smith launched a thunderous 30-yard strike which was brilliantly tipped on to the crossbar by Szczesny.

BBC: Newcastle 0-4 Arsenal

Pardew made five changes to the side that thrashed West Ham 5-0 on Wednesday - with players such as James Perch and Alan Smith given the chance to underline their case for a regular starting berth.

BBC: Stevenage 3-1 Newcastle

Alan Smith came on for a sluggish Michael Bridges, winning Leeds two quick free-kicks, but neither broke the deadlock.

BBC: Leeds ride luck in Rome

On Thursday, Paulson hosts a much-hyped conference on business taxes (Treasury thinks they're too high) that includes all-star appearances by former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, FedEx chief executive Frederick Smith, Oracle President Safra Catz and Harvard professor Martin Feldstein, formerly President Ronald Reagan's top economic adviser.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Goalkeeper Graeme Smith looks certain to leave Rugby Park in the summer after the 24-year-old understudy to Alan Combe rejected the offer of a new contract.

BBC: Johnston agrees new Killie deal

It has been reported that Alan Johnson, who replaced Jacqui Smith as home secretary in the recent cabinet reshuffle, might be considering a U-turn on ID cards, after ordering a review of the scheme.

BBC: Tories warn firms off ID scheme

On Thursday, Paulson hosts a much-hyped conference on business taxes (Treasury thinks they're too high) that includes all-star appearances by former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, FedEx (nyse: FDX - news - people ) chief executive Frederick Smith, Oracle (nasdaq: ORCL - news - people ) President Safra Catz and Harvard professor Martin Feldstein, formerly President Ronald Reagan's top economic adviser.

FORBES: Paulson Report Card: 'A' For Effort