Two goals from Jermaine Beckford helped Leeds to extend their lead at the top of League One to six points.
Hartlepool went ahead when a Ritchie Humphreys corner was not cleared and Armann Bjornsson lashed into the net.
Beckford levelled 13 minutes later by flicking in Neil Kilkenny's shot and Luciano Becchio's header went in off Gary Liddle to put Leeds in front.
Beckford hit the bar before claiming his seventh goal in five matches following a flick-on from Becchio.
It was a timely response from the former Wealdstone-born striker, who was booed last weekend against Southampton for his reaction to being substituted.
The 26-year-old apologised to manager Simon Grayson and took his tally to 17 goals this season with the double strike.
Leeds United manager Simon Grayson told BBC Radio Leeds:
"I thought we started the game very well and really we could have been a good few goals up early on.
"But Hartlepool defended very well and then got ahead, but the players showed a lot of character to fight back and get ahead before half-time.
"In the second-half we looked very comfortable and won the game comfortably in the end.
90:00+4:08 The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.
90:00+2:54 Sam Collins gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Max Gradel. Bradley Johnson restarts play with the free kick, Max Gradel takes a shot. Peter Hartley gets a block in.
90:00+2:19 Free kick taken by Casper Ankergren.
90:00+2:19 Booking Armann Bjornsson is booked.
90:00+2:10 Unfair challenge on Casper Ankergren by Armann Bjornsson results in a free kick.
88:16 Shot by Jermaine Beckford from outside the area goes high over the crossbar.
87:18 Max Gradel takes a shot. Save by Scott Flinders.
80:25 Substitution Max Gradel on for Richard Naylor.
79:52 Bradley Johnson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Neil Austin. Scott Flinders takes the direct free kick.
78:41 Substitution Tresor Kandol joins the action as a substitute, replacing Luciano Becchio.
78:11 Free kick awarded for a foul by Richard Naylor on Adam Boyd. Peter Hartley takes the free kick.
76:24 Booking The referee shows Sam Collins a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
76:21 Booking Luciano Becchio is booked.
76:15 Booking Booking for Bradley Johnson for unsporting behaviour.
73:30 Substitution Colin Larkin replaces Leon McSweeney.
73:30 Substitution Ritchie Humphreys leaves the field to be replaced by Jon-Andre Fredriksen.
71:02 Substitution Michael Doyle leaves the field to be replaced by Bradley Johnson.
70:26 The referee blows for offside. Free kick taken by Casper Ankergren.
68:52 The assist for the goal came from Luciano Becchio.
68:52 GOAL - Jermaine Beckford:Leeds 3 - 1 Hartlepool Jermaine Beckford grabs a goal from inside the penalty box low into the middle of the goal. Leeds 3-1 Hartlepool.
68:15 Direct free kick taken by Casper Ankergren.
68:15 Booking The referee cautions Leon McSweeney for unsporting behaviour.
67:53 Foul by Leon McSweeney on Patrick Kisnorbo, free kick awarded.
65:08 Corner taken right-footed by Neil Kilkenny from the right by-line, clearance made by Antony Sweeney.
64:33 Robert Snodgrass fouled by Neil Austin, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Robert Snodgrass, Armann Bjornsson makes a clearance.
62:35 The referee blows for offside. Indirect free kick taken by Casper Ankergren.
60:15 Armann Bjornsson is caught offside. Indirect free kick taken by Richard Naylor.
59:28 Ritchie Jones takes a shot. Save by Casper Ankergren.
54:59 Leon McSweeney takes a long range shot clearing the crossbar.
52:48 Jonathan Howson fouled by Peter Hartley, the ref awards a free kick. Robert Snodgrass sends in a cross, Leigh Bromby has a headed effort at goal from close in which goes wide right of the target.
52:23 Jermaine Beckford takes a shot.
51:33 Shot on goal by Adam Boyd from just inside the area clears the crossbar.
49:56 Effort from just outside the area by Ritchie Jones goes over the target.
45:01 The second half kicks off.
45:01 Substitution Gary Liddle goes off and Ben Clark comes on.
Half Time
45:00+4:01 The players leave the pitch at half time.
45:00+2:59 Assist by Jonathan Howson.
45:00+2:59 GOAL - Luciano Becchio:Leeds 2 - 1 Hartlepool Luciano Becchio grabs a headed goal from inside the six-yard box. Leeds 2-1 Hartlepool.
45:00+2:29 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Patrick Kisnorbo by Armann Bjornsson. Direct free kick taken by Casper Ankergren.
45:00+1:35 Direct free kick taken by Peter Hartley.
45:00+1:35 Booking Neil Kilkenny goes into the book.
45:00+1:29 Ritchie Humphreys fouled by Neil Kilkenny, the ref awards a free kick.
44:07 Luciano Becchio challenges Sam Collins unfairly and gives away a free kick. Scott Flinders restarts play with the free kick.
41:02 Jermaine Beckford takes a shot. Save by Scott Flinders.
40:41 The offside flag is raised against Antony Sweeney. Casper Ankergren restarts play with the free kick.
39:02 Robert Snodgrass takes a shot. Comfortable save by Scott Flinders.
37:25 Neil Kilkenny provided the assist for the goal.
37:25 GOAL - Jermaine Beckford:Leeds 1 - 1 Hartlepool A goal is scored by Jermaine Beckford from inside the six-yard box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Leeds 1-1 Hartlepool.
36:33 The referee penalises Neil Austin for handball. The free kick is delivered left-footed by Robert Snodgrass from left channel, Sam Collins manages to make a clearance.
34:32 Jonathan Howson concedes a free kick for a foul on Neil Austin. Sam Collins restarts play with the free kick.
33:10 Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Ritchie Humphreys, clearance made by Leigh Bromby.
Correction - 32:48 Neil Kilkenny gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ritchie Humphreys. Sam Collins takes the free kick.
32:48 Unfair challenge on Patrick Kisnorbo by Ritchie Jones results in a free kick. Patrick Kisnorbo takes the free kick.
32:13 Adam Boyd takes a shot from just outside the penalty area clears the crossbar.
31:30 Unfair challenge on Neil Austin by Jonathan Howson results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Scott Flinders.
29:06 Free kick awarded for a foul by Armann Bjornsson on Neil Kilkenny. Direct free kick taken by Casper Ankergren.
28:43 Jonathan Howson takes a shot. Save made by Scott Flinders.
27:57 The referee blows for offside against Armann Bjornsson. Casper Ankergren restarts play with the free kick.
27:27 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Ritchie Humphreys played to the near post, Luciano Becchio makes a clearance.
27:13 Adam Boyd takes a shot. Save made by Casper Ankergren.
24:49 Assist on the goal came from Adam Boyd.
24:49 GOAL - Armann Bjornsson:Leeds 0 - 1 Hartlepool Armann Bjornsson grabs a headed goal from close in. Leeds 0-1 Hartlepool.
24:19 Ritchie Humphreys takes a inswinging corner to the near post,
21:26 Jonathan Howson takes a shot. Scott Flinders makes a save.
20:49 Robert Snodgrass gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Peter Hartley. Free kick taken by Scott Flinders.
17:57 The offside flag is raised against Armann Bjornsson. Casper Ankergren takes the indirect free kick.
15:17 Jermaine Beckford takes a shot. Comfortable save by Scott Flinders.
13:53 Adam Boyd takes a shot. Save by Casper Ankergren.
12:04 Robert Snodgrass takes a shot. Gary Liddle makes a clearance.
10:51 Armann Bjornsson is ruled offside. Casper Ankergren restarts play with the free kick.
5:58 Robert Snodgrass takes a shot. Gary Liddle gets a block in.
2:26 Corner from the left by-line taken by Robert Snodgrass, Sam Collins manages to make a clearance.
0:34 Robert Snodgrass takes a shot. Blocked by Neil Austin.
0:00 The referee gets the match started.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association.
Leeds United manager Simon Grayson told BBC Radio Leeds:
"Hartlepool are one of those sides that you don't know what you'll face on the day.
"They have a small squad so can be hit hard by injuries, which can effect them more than say I club like us who have a bigger squad.
"But they have some very talent individuals and we need to really focus in order to win,
"I love playing on Boxing Day, it's a special day to play football. It will mark a year in charge for me too so that makes it extra nice for me.
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