Tag: Gray

Gerwyn Price wore ear defenders to block out vocal Ally Pally crowd during 5-1 drubbing by Gabriel Clemens in World Darts Championship; Michael van Gerwen says Price is “going through a rough period’” while Wayne Mardle says Iceman’s actions showed a rare sign of “frailty”

Michael van Gerwen says Gerwyn Price “should not have put himself in that position” after the world No 1 donned ear defenders during his crushing defeat to Gabriel Clemens in the quarter-finals of the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.

Price wore bulky ear defenders for the fifth set of his 5-1 drubbing on Sunday night to drown out the boos from the crowd, and later wrote on Instagram that he was unsure whether he would play in the World Championship again.

Van Gerwen – who swept aside Chris Dobey 5-0 later in the night to remain on course for a fourth world title – says he would not have done what Price did but had sympathy for a player who is “going through a rough period”.

Will Price play at the World Championship again?

Title favourite Van Gerwen said of 2021 champion Price: “In his position, with how big he is in darts, I wouldn’t have done that but he’s going through a rough period.

“[Wearing ear defenders] has never been done in darts before and also he doesn’t need it, but he’s in a tough period so he’s thinking about things.

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Wayne Mardle says Price’s decision to wear ear defenders was a sign that the Iceman was feeling the pressure.

“He shouldn’t put himself in that position but that’s darts unfortunately.”

Sky Sports Darts pundit Wayne Mardle said Price’s actions showed a rare sign of “frailty” and hopes the Iceman’s suggestion that he may never return to Ally Pally is just a “knee-jerk reaction” to a heavy defeat.

Price reeled off consecutive ton-plus finishes en route to waltzing though the opening set but then lost five in a row as Clemens, the first German into the World Championship semi-finals, averaged 99.94 to the Welshman’s 94.58.

Mardle: Price obviously felt the pressure

Mardle said: “Apparently Gerwyn has had the ear defenders with him prior to this game. It was something he was thinking about doing.

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Price took out to ton-plus checkouts in the first set against Gabriel Clemens – before being thrashed by the German

“The fact he has had them for a week or so shows you there is a bit of frailty there but nothing about him is frail – he hits everything head-on and takes everything in his stride.

“Normally he deals with things brilliantly but he obviously felt the pressure and is not 100 per cent comfortable right now.

“Mentally he couldn’t have been that strong where normally that is his game. He is one of the most mentally-strong darts players I have known.

“I think he has been ground down over the last few months and maybe because he is not at his brilliant best, maybe he is a bit fragile. Gerwyn regressed after the first set and couldn’t find anything, which was just odd.

“I hope [saying he might not play at Ally Pally again] is just a knee-jerk reaction

“When you put the over-elaborate ear defenders on they are not for you, they are for the crowd. It’s, ‘this is me saying to you, shut up, be quiet, keep out of it’.

“People in the media were telling me he practised with the ear defenders on so I don’t know if they put him off – but I found it pretty peculiar he would be that elaborate in showing the crowd he couldn’t care less what they think.”

‘Van Gerwen looks a million dollars’

In stark contrast to Price, Van Gerwen breezed through his quarter-final dropping just three legs as he annihilated last-eight debutant Dobey.

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Mardle says Michael van Gerwen is brimming with confidence after demolishing Chris Dobey 5-0 at Ally Pally

Mardle added: “MVG was brilliant, he looks a million dollars.

“He is flowing and playing with a freedom you don’t ever see many players play with. He is not peak Van Gerwen yet but he is better than we have seen in the last two or three years.

“It will take something strange for him not to win this tournament. He looks so comfortable.”

Watch the PDC World Darts Championship semi-finals – Gabriel Clemens vs Michael Smith followed by Michael van Gerwen vs Dimitri Van den Bergh – live on Sky Sports Darts from 7.30pm on Monday.

A look back at the memorable occasion when Pele played at Portland Park, the home of Troon FC in Scotland.

Highlights of the Portland Trail Blazers against the Golden State Warriors in Week 11 of the NBA season.

Michael van Gerwen to face Chris Dobey in quarter-finals I Watch the 2023 PDC World Darts Championship – live on Sky Sports Darts. We’re back on New Year’s Day at 12.30pm and 7.30pm with Gerwyn Price, Michael Smith and MVG all eyeing Monday’s semi-finals

Michael van Gerwen continued his quest for a fourth World Darts Championship and first since 2019 after easing to victory over fellow Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode on Friday night.

Van Gerwen coasted into the quarter-finals after a 4-1 victory over a below-par Dirk van Duijvenbode with a 100.4 average to set up a meeting against Dobey on New Year’s Day, who had earlier knocked out former champion Rob Cross.

“I feel good and that anything is possible in this World Championship. If I play like this, I am not going to lose,” Van Gerwen told Sky Sports’ Emma Paton in the studio.

“Something strange has to happen to me, an off day or whatever, for me not to win my games.”

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Michael van Gerwen said he beat Dirk van Duijvenbode with his ‘B-game’ and says if he continues to play like he is, ‘he won’t lose’

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MVG completed the win with this special 120 checkout to set up a quarter-final clash against Chris Dobey

Van Gerwen produced another strong performance, averaging 100.42 and 43 per cent on the doubles.

He started much the better of the two in the all-Dutch clash and despite a cracking 117 from Van Duijvenbode in the second leg, five costly missed darts at doubles allowed ‘Mighty Mike’ to secure the opener.

‘Aubergenius’ then threw the fourth 170 of the tournament and second of the night to get back into the second set, but after missing his chance to force a deciding leg, Van Gerwen accepted the gift to double his lead with a 100.7 average.

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Van Duijvenbode netted ‘The Big Fish’ during his match against Van Gerwen. It was the second 170 of the night!

Van Duijvenbode closed the gap to one after winning the third 3-1 with an impressive 120.67 set average and despite forcing a fourth-set decider he endured a disastrous scoring leg to allow MVG to help himself to a two-set advantage once again.

The title favourite then breezed through the next to book a meeting with ‘Hollywood’ Dobey thanks to a show-stopping 120 finish.

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Chris Dobey says he’d never felt anything like the nerves he had with his match darts as he secured a 4-2 win over Rob Cross to reach the quarter-finals

Dobey made it through to the quarter-finals at the Worlds for the very first time courtesy of a 4-2 victory over 2018 champion Rob Cross with a 102 average, eight 180s and a stunning 170 checkout.

Having clinched the opener, ‘Voltage’ averaged almost 119 in the next but he didn’t even win a leg. However, Cross composed himself to sweep through the next and reclaim the lead.

Dobey then raised the Ally Pally roof with the biggest finish of the lot – a 170 – as he upped his average to 121.72 in levelling the tie at 2-2.

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Dobey reeled in a magical 170 checkout against Cross to send Ally Pally wild

He edged closer to victory by winning the next 3-1 and he held his nerve in the sixth set on his sixth match dart to seal his spot in the final eight.

Dobey said: “It was 100 per cent [the biggest result of my career]. I finally got over that hurdle so I am delighted, buzzing. Rob threw everything at us. I hit 170s for fun at home so it was due, but 170s mean nothing. It is that winning double that means the most.

“There is no reason I can’t go all the way.”

Former Lakeside champion Stephen Bunting completed the quarter-final line-up by dominating Luke Humphries with a 99.43 average and landing 46 per cent of his doubles.

Bunting took an entertaining opening set 3-1 with the players sharing ton-plus finishes of 121 and 119, and he then pinned a brilliant 127 on his way to a 115.62 average to double his advantage before ‘Cool Hand’ Luke found some form to close the gap.

‘The Bullet’ converted double 3 to restore his two-set cushion and with the world No 5 reeling, Bunting crashed in a 106 to break throw in the opening leg of the fifth set before going on to make it through to a meeting with Michael Smith in a St Helens derby.

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Stephen Bunting says he’s a danger to anyone in this tournament after an impressive 4-1 win over Luke Humphries

Wins for Smith & Dimi as Clemens makes history at The Palace

Michael Smith swept aside Joe Cullen to cruise into the quarter-finals

Smith fired in an imperious display to storm through to the last eight with a 4-1 win against Masters champion Joe Cullen.

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Watch Cullen nail this magnificent 153 checkout, which even Smith applauded

“I finally turned up and it felt good,” declared Smith, who averaged 103, landed ten 180s and converted 40 per cent of his attempts at double.

“I think the first set was important. Being 1-0 down against Joe could have been a big game-changer, and I knew I couldn’t afford to throw sets away.

“I want to play the best players, I want to beat the best players and I want to show how far my game has come, and winning this title would mean everything.”

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‘Bully Boy’ said he had to ‘dig deep’ to defeat Cullen despite the scoreline suggesting otherwise

Elsewhere, Gabriel Clemens made history with a resounding 4-1 success against Dundee firefighter Alan Soutar, to become the first German player to reach the quarter-finals at the Worlds.

The ‘German Giant’ will next face a huge test against world No 1 Gerwyn Price on New Year’s Day.

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Clemens took out this huge 148 on his way to a comfortable victory against Soutar

“He will be the favourite, but I’ve had three good games on the stage with him and I’ve beaten him before so it’s about taking your chance,” said the 39-year-old former locksmith.

“I hope I can put some pressure on him. It’s not easy to play against the world No 1. This is my first time playing in the quarter-finals of the Worlds so I hope I can give him a good game and maybe I can win, why not!?”

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Van den Bergh proved too good for fellow Belgian Kim Huybrechts

Dimitri Van den Bergh secured a place in his third quarter-final here after producing a demolition job to defeat his Belgian World Cup partner Kim Huybrechts in straight sets.

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Wayne Mardle says Smith made his win over Cullen look ‘relatively easy’, with Mark Webster saying the St Helens thrower is capable of going all the way…

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Watch a round-up of the action from an entertaining afternoon session

New Year’s Day at Ally Pally

Michael van Gerwen headlines on New Year’s Day at Alexandra Palace as he continues his insatiable bid for a fourth world crown

Welshman Gerwyn Price will take on German No 1 Gabriel Clemens on quarter-finals day at Alexandra Palace with all matches now the best of nine sets.

Jonny Clayton battles ‘The DreamMaker’ Dimitri Van den Bergh, while Grand Slam of Darts champion Michael Smith faces Stephen Bunting in a local derby.

Firm favourite Michael van Gerwen then continues his quest for a fourth World title when he goes up against ‘Hollywood’ Chris Dobey.

The semi-finals and final take place on January 2-3.

Watch the 2023 PDC World Darts Championship – live on Sky Sports Darts – all the way through to the final on January 3.

Gerwyn Price booked his place in the quarter-finals at Ally Pally with victory over Jose de Sousa on ThursdayWatch the 2023 PDC World Darts Championship – live on Sky Sports Darts – all the way through to the final on January 3

There is still a glint in the eye of Gerwyn Price whenever asked about his rugby days: his background in the sport helped create the formidable on-stage competitor that has changed darts, which is perhaps the same reason he misses it so dearly. 

The Welshman continues to lead the way as World No 1 and remains in pursuit of a second World Championship crown after reaching the quarter-final stage at Ally Pally as he looks to further his explosive rise to the top of the game.

While the packed nature of the darting calendar allows for little downtime, Price, who previously played in the Welsh Premier Division prior to his arrival at the oche, admits he hopes to make a return to the field in some capacity in the not-so-distant future.

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Gerwyn Price stays on course for his second world title with a dominant win over Jose de Sousa in the World Darts Championship last 16

“I’m constantly thinking about my old life and when I used to play rugby, when I used to be in a bit better shape to what I am now, I didn’t have to suck it in as much back in the day,” joked Price in an interview with Sky Sports.

“I miss it, I miss my old life and I just want a little bit of it back so I spoke to my wife about it a couple of months ago, if there’s one weekend I’m off then I’m going to put my boots back on and try to get myself back in shape and back on the field because I just need to do something I really enjoy again, which I really miss.”

Away from competing, Price plans to put a greater emphasis on family life heading into the New Year.

“Next year I’m going to park the property business and focus as much as I can on the darts and take some time out as well because my girls are 16 and 12, time has gone by just like that and I need to spend a bit more time with them and do a lot more family things,” he explained.

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Gerwyn Price wins the match on a 128 checkout and takes the game 4-0 against Raymond van Barneveld

Price cruised beyond Jose de Sousa by a scoreline of 4-1 in Thursday night’s fourth-round clash to reach the last eight, and is confident of adding a sixth televised title to his resume.

“If my A game is there from now on in, nobody beats me,” he said. “That’s not me being arrogant or big-headed, because if you’d asked anybody in this tournament they’d say the same.”

Price believes he is still yet to hit top form in 2022 having been hindered early in the year by a fractured bone in his throwing hand.

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The best of the action from the evening session of Day 12 at Alexandra Palace

“Psychologically and physically (it’s been a tough year), I broke my hand in March just after the UK Open and so took a downward spiral,” he admitted.

“My confidence was knocked, I couldn’t hit anything, I couldn’t win legs if I had six darts each throw so it was a difficult period for me.

“For about three or four months I was just scraping trying to find my form again and it was really tough.

“The moment I found the confidence in my hand and it started to heal then my game started to come back week by week.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not at my best yet but by the time the quarter-finals/semi-finals come, hopefully I get that far and I’ll bring some of my best stuff out.”

Watch the 2023 PDC World Darts Championship – live on Sky Sports Darts – through to the final on January 3.

Jonny Clayton ended Josh Rock’s dream debut run at the World Darts Championship, while world No 1 Gerwyn Price breezed past Jose de Sousa as the Welsh duo reached the quarter-finals.

Antrim ace Rock has been one of the most talked about players on planet darts in 2022, but Clayton used all his years of experience to come through in another nail-biter at Alexandra Palace.

“I am delighted. Josh is an up-and-coming star. He is fantastic. What a nice guy and what a player. I had to do a job and I did it. That’s all I can say. Hopefully I can get to the end,” said Clayton.

“I have proved I can still play darts. We are all chasing this big trophy and fingers crossed it will be my year.”

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Jonny Clayton was full of praise for Josh Rock as he reached the quarter-finals of the Worlds for the first time

Rock got off to a blistering start, winning the opener in three unanswered legs with a superb 110 average, to stun ‘The Ferret’.

The 21-year-old was showing no signs of nerves, but after surviving a barrage from Rock, Clayton clinched the second set in straight legs and he moved 2-1 ahead after landing an unorthodox single 18, double 18, bullseye 104 finish.

However, when the Welsh ace went inside on double 11 in the deciding leg of the fourth set, Rock returned for double 5 to get back on level terms.

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Clayton clinches the third set with this absolutely mind-blowing 104 checkout on the bullseye

And ‘Rocky’ appeared to be closing in on claiming another huge scalp by cleaning up 72 in a fifth-set decider moments after Clayton’s double attempt had hit the wrong bed.

But the world No 7 and former Premier League champion was not giving up without a fight and he made sure the contest went the distance by nailing a 122 on double 7 en route to taking the sixth set 3-1.

In another crazy game in the capital, Rock’s trouble with doubles came to haunt him when Clayton broke with a 13-darter and he then fired home double 16 to make it through to the last eight for the first time.

Gerwyn Price raced into the quarter-finals with victory over Jose de Sousa

Price, who has revealed plans to make a return to rugby on a spare weekend with no darts, clinched the first set 3-1 against De Sousa before rallying from 2-0 down and surviving two set darts in the next to strengthen his grip on the match.

But ‘The Special One’ responded strongly in the third set to halve the deficit with a 98.2 set average, but back came ‘The Iceman’ to nail tops for the first time in the match for a 64 finish to restore his two-set cushion and edge closer to victory.

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Price pinned this 64 checkout to take a commanding 3-1 lead against De Sousa before celebrating in trademark fashion

And the Welshman made it through to the quarter-finals by winning a deciding leg against the darts with a neat ton-out before letting off a trademark roar of approval.

“I felt comfortable all the way through the game,” said Price, who is looking to add to his title in 2021. “I knew I wasn’t playing at my best but when chances come along I think I take them. As long as my friends and family are here supporting me, that’s the main thing.”

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The world No 1 stayed on course for his second world title with a dominant win over De Sousa

Fifth seed Luke Humphries was forced to fend off rapid-fire Dutchman Vincent van der Voort to seal a 4-3 triumph with a 96.5 average, eight 180s and a fabulous 140 checkout in the deciding set.

He will face either German No 1 Gabriel Clemens or Dundee firefighter Alan Soutar for a place in the last four.

Next up for ‘Cool Hand’ Luke is a tasty fourth-round meeting with Stephen Bunting on Friday evening.

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Luke Humphries pinned this outstanding 140 checkout on his way to reaching the last 16 at Alexandra Palace

“I feel like my doubles have let me down in this tournament, but it’s one of those things like if I play my game I want to get over that hurdle of making it through to the semi-finals,” said Humphries, who revealed he is still recovering from a sickness bug.

“Bunting is a fantastic player but I will be making sure that I will finally bring my A-game to this tournament. The top players find a way and although I haven’t been at my 100 per cent best it’s not affecting me to the point where I’m playing terribly.”

DVD comes out on top in deciding-leg classic

Dirk van Duijvenbode celebrates winning a classic against Ross Smith

Dirk van Duijvenbode edged out Ross Smith in a deciding-leg classic, in a contest which featured a record-breaking 31 maximums and five missed match darts from Smith.

Van Duijvenbode came back from 3-0 down to deny Smith at the same stage of last year’s tournament, and he inflicted further heartbreak on the European Champion, who succumbed despite landing a record-equalling 19 180s.

The Dutchman forced a deciding set after Smith wired a match dart at the bull for a 4-2 win, and after surviving four more match darts in a gripping seventh set, Van Duijvenbode sank a nerveless 71 combination on tops to triumph.

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Dirk Van Duijvenbode and Ross Smith set a new best-of-seven-sets record at Alexandra Palace. They hit 31 180s in their third round epic, including an individual record for Smith!

“I just thought: ‘Give me one dart and I’ll take it,” said Van Duijvenbode, who hit a dozen 180s and converted 114, 127 and 136 finishes to set up a fascinating last-16 tie against Michael van Gerwen.

“It will be a fantastic game for the neutral, but I’m not happy with the way I’m playing.

“My best game is in there, but I’m not showing in and I definitely need to show it against Michael or I’m out tomorrow.”

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Dave Chisnall and Stephen Bunting produced some high quality tungsten with a total of SIX ton-plus checkouts in total

Elsewhere, Bunting produced one of the best performances of his career to defeat his fellow St Helens star Dave Chisnall in an exhilarating six-set affair, which saw both players register ton-plus averages.

“That’s the best I’ve ever played on that stage,” insisted Bunting – a semi-finalist back in 2021.

Meanwhile, 2018 World Champion Rob Cross cruised into the last 16 with a comprehensive 4-1 win over Mervyn King to book a meeting with Gary Anderson’s conqueror Chris Dobey.

“He has got something about him, this solid determination and he has ability, we know that. He is going to take some beating”

Wayne Mardle on Rob Cross

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Here’s a look back at an action-packed afternoon session which included plenty of darting drama

Friday at Ally Pally

Michael van Gerwen headlines Friday evening at Alexandra Palace as he continues his quest for a fourth world crown

Kim Huybrechts and Dimitri Van den Bergh clash in the opening fourth-round tie before Gabriel Clemens takes on Alan Soutar.

Michael Smith and Joe Cullen close out a bumper afternoon session in what should be a contest full of thrills and spills.

Firm favourite Michael van Gerwen headlines the evening session with the Dutchman continuing his bid to land a fourth world title and first since 2019 when he faces fellow Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode.

There’s a break on New Year’s Eve but then the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final take place from January 1-3.

Watch the 2023 PDC World Darts Championship – live on Sky Sports Darts – all the way through to the final on January 3.

Pep Guardiola explains how his view on Kalvin Phillips’ fitness has changed since he joined Manchester City from Leeds.

Chris Dobey cruised past Gary Anderson; Jose de Sousa produced a huge comeback to go through; Alan Soutar rallied to knock out Danny Noppert; Wednesday’s evening session includes Michael van Gerwen, Michael Smith and Joe Cullen in action (7pm, Sky Sports Darts)

Chris Dobey denied Gary Anderson his 50th win on the Alexandra Palace stage as he cruised to a 4-1 victory at the Cazoo World Darts Championship.

Anderson exits in the third round for the first time since 2014 and, after the Flying Scotsman played down his chances pre-match, it came to fruition as he scuppered a 1-0 lead to crash out.

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Chris Dobey defeats former winner Gary Anderson 4-1 to reach the last 16 of the World Darts Championship.

Anderson started the encounter with real intent and blew Dobey away as he romped to take three straight legs, a brilliant 121 finish securing the break of throw before sealing the set on tops and leaving Dobey no chance to answer.

The second set saw Dobey and Anderson trade breaks before a missed chance by the Flying Scotsman to take a 2-0 lead allowed Dobey to bring the contest level, taking out 50 with 18 and double 16 to peg Anderson back.

Despite Anderson seeming to be throwing the better darts, hitting six perfect darts in succession, Dobey managed to get himself into a 2-1 lead with some precision on the doubles that Anderson couldn’t muster, then taking advantage of those errors to make it 3-1.

Inaccurate finishing then only made the encounter an even tougher task for Anderson as he missed three chances to hold his throw in the fifth set, allowing Dobey to take out tops on his throw to hold and take a ‘Hollywood’ victory.

Dobey: Anderson’s words annoyed me

Speaking after the contest, Dobey expressed his delight at getting over another “hurdle” at the Alexandra Palace and revealed that some words from Anderson in the break, which he “disagreed with”, spurred him on.

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Chris Dobey was angry with some comments made by Gary Anderson in the break prior to claiming a 4-1 victory over the Scot.

“It was a big win, Gary is a class lad, one of the big names in darts. It is a massive win. I never gave up. That’s the kind of lad I am, always fighting to the end. I am delighted to get the win,” said Dobey.

“Gary said something to us in the last break and I didn’t like it. It annoyed me and there was no way he was winning the game after that.

“I came out and tried to forget about it. He is a class lad but I didn’t agree with what he said. I made sure I was winning this game.

“I have been in this position a number of times so I am hoping to get over that hurdle. I am still in the competition.”

Soutar knocks out ninth seed Noppert

Alan Soutar put in one of the performances of his career so far as he fought back to complete a 4-2 victory over ninth seed Danny Noppert in the second match of the session.

Alan Soutar fought back from 2-0 down to secure a 4-2 victory against Danny Noppert

Noppert got off to a perfect start against Soutar, getting the match under way with a maximum and 11-dart leg before securing the set 3-1 with a brilliant 104 finish.

The second set saw Noppert’s accuracy on the trebles provide success as he continued to add to his maximum tally, taking the set in straight legs with Soutar unable to find an answer despite throwing at the tournament average.

However, the third set provided an unexpected chance for the Scotsman and he took it, taking advantage of a mistake on the 66 finish from Noppert for the break of throw before taking six straight legs to bring the tie level at 2-2.

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Alan Soutar takes out a sensational 152 checkout against Danny Noppert in their third round match at the World Darts Championship.

From there, Soutar came alive with a sensational 152 finish to take the lead for the first time and make it 3-2, another huge 130 finish helping set up Soutar for the 4-2 victory in a comeback and performance to remember. A clash with Gabriel Clemens now awaits him in the last 16.

De Sousa comes back to set up Price showdown

The opening match of Day 11 at the Alexandra Palace saw Jose de Sousa produce an almighty comeback against Ryan Searle, fighting back from 3-0 down to a 4-3 win to set up a clash with world No 1 Gerwyn Price in the last 16.

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Jose de Sousa fights back from three sets down to defeat Ryan Searle 4-3 to set up a last 16 tie with Gerwyn Price.

Searle took control to secure an early 3-0 lead against De Sousa, a break of throw together with some inaccuracy on the doubles from The Special One giving Heavy Metal the 1-0 lead. Searle then nullified a slight fightback from his opponent in the second set as he took out tops in the deciding leg.

A poor third set followed, in which both players were averaging below 90, but Searle was the better of the two once again as the doubles continued to trouble De Sousa.

However, The Special One then began a comeback to keep the match alive in the fourth set, concluding with D16 after slamming in a T20 with his first dart to make it 3-1. Two poor visits from Searle in the fifth set then forced a deciding leg in which De Sousa put himself well and truly back in the match, taking out the D8 to make it 3-2.

From there, De Sousa brought the match level as a huge maximum left him 98 which he took out on tops to take the match to a seventh set, finding his flow on the trebles and finally taking the victory on D2.

Wednesday night at Ally Pally

Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen takes on Austria’s Mensur Suljovic in a blockbuster evening session, which also includes ‘The Rockstar’ Joe Cullen up against Damon Heta and 2022 runner-up Michael Smith versus Martin Schindler. Watch the action live from 7pm on Sky Sports Darts and Sky Sports Main Event.

Watch the 2023 PDC World Darts Championship – live on Sky Sports Darts – all the way through to the final on January 3.

Paul Merson believes Arsenal may not be able to keep up their league-topping form after Gabriel Jesus suffered a knee injury at the World Cup.

Ahead of his upcoming fight against Liam Smith, Chris Eubank Jr. explains why he is training on Christmas Day.

Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman explains what his side are doing during Christmas Day training and what he wants to achieve over the next few games.

Darting superstar Scott Williams takes on his practice partner Rob Cross on Friday afternoon from 12.30pm I Watch the 2023 PDC World Darts Championship – live on Sky Sports Darts – all the way through to the final on January 3

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John Part felt Williams’ performance was a level above anyone else and backs the underdog to entertain for the remainder of the tournament

Wayne Mardle and John Part hailed the performance of darting superstar Scott Williams with ‘Darth Maple’ expecting his clash with Rob Cross to be highly entertaining.

Williams produced the performance of the tournament so far to overcome Ryan Joyce in a first-round thriller at Alexandra Palace on Sunday.

The 32-year-old, nicknamed ‘Shaggy’ hit 10 180s, averaged over a ton and took out a 164 finish on his way to a 3-1 success, despite Joyce averaging 103.04.

“I think Rob is really coming back into this game and I don’t want to lose either one of these. We’re going to lose one”

John Part on Williams vs Cross

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Williams said ‘there is no point in feeling nervous’ after he came through a humdinger against Joyce

‘Hawaii 501’ Mardle renamed Williams, who is known for wearing bright yellow outfits on the stage, ‘The Entertainer’ following his exuberant celebrations and self-assertive personality.

Three-time former world champion Part was impressed by Williams’ performance and is already looking forward to his clash with practice partner Cross on Friday afternoon.

“The level of play was something we hadn’t seen yet. That was our first real high-octane darts match with 110 averages for a long time in that match,” said Part.

“Ryan was enjoying it just as much as Scott but in the end Scott warmed down. He just had that little edge and that belief that he would finish the winner.

“He didn’t have the higher average, but he had a lot of other impressive stats. He was 10 of 18 on doubles and an incredible amount of 180s.

“The most important thing is hitting those doubles and the 164 to win the set. You can’t fault him and he’s got every right to be pretty confident going in against his pal Rob Cross. He’s just got to keep doing the same thing.

“Rob Cross has the same thought process even though he’s not as outgoing about it as maybe Scott is but they’re built the same way, they think the same way. It should be really entertaining.

“I think Rob is really coming back into this game and I don’t want to lose either one of these. We’re going to lose one.”

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‘This boy can play darts!’ Watch Williams pile in fifth maximum before taking out 164 for a sensational 12-dart leg against Joyce

Williams and Joyce played out one of the highest standard first round encounters seen on the Ally Pally stage.

Former quarter-finalist Joyce was not enough to defy 2022 breakout star Williams on his way to an outstanding debut victory.

Williams announced himself with an average just shy of 116 to take the opening set, before Joyce hit back in equally-impressive style.

Though Joyce continued to average over 112 for much of the contest, Williams crucially won the set three decider to regain the lead.

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Williams hits 10 180s and averaged over a ton on his way to a 3-1 success

Joyce took the lead in the fourth, but Williams responded with a trio of legs to set up a meeting with former world champion Cross.

“I felt awesome today and that came out on the stage, I know what I’m capable of,” said Williams.

“The first set I felt absolutely fantastic, then all of a sudden I started missing but then thankfully it came back.

“There’s no point being nervous because it’s just a job. It’s how I earn a living and it’s something that I’ve been doing for a couple of years and I’ve been really good. I felt awesome today.

“I’ve been practicing with Rob [Cross] recently and he was different gravy. He’s been playing like he did when he won the Worlds but I’ve beat him before.

“We’re good mates behind the scenes but we’re both here to do a job, it should be a good game.”

Watch the 2023 PDC World Darts Championship – live on Sky Sports Darts – through to the final on January 3.

Two-time champion Gary Anderson wins a barnstormer I Watch the 2023 PDC World Darts Championship – live on Sky Sports Darts. We’re back on Friday for the last double session before Christmas at 12.30pm and 7pm with Rob Cross, Jonny Clayton and Joe Cullen in action

Two-time world champion Gary Anderson fended off Madars Razma to seal a 3-1 victory on his 52nd birthday, while Dirk van Duijvenbode narrowly missed out on a nine-dart finish as he came through a deciding set thriller.

Anderson showed why he’s 2015 and 2016 champion at Alexandra Palace after edging out treble 19 hitting maestro Razma to reach the third round.

Dutchman Van Duijvenbode came close to landing perfection after he survived a match dart and a final-set tie-break to make it through against Czech Karel Sedlacek, while four-time semi-finalist James Wade saw his hopes ended with a shock 3-2 defeat against Welshman Jim Williams.

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Here’s all SIX ton-plus checkouts from Anderson’s rip-roaring win against Razma

Anderson, who last suffered a first-round exit here back in 2010 to Ronnie Baxter, took out an early ton as he averaged 105, but still only won the opening set 3-2.

Latvian ‘Razmatazz’ made it a level-game after pinning consecutive ton-plus finishes of 121 on the bullseye and 134.

He eclipsed both those checkouts to break his opponent with a magical 154 on tops, but the veteran Scot hit back with a 15-darter before sneaking one into double 4 after Razma squandered four darts to seal the third set.

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‘The Flying Scotman’ reflected on his hard-fought victory over Razma with Michael Bridge

With Razma handing out far too many birthday presents to Anderson, the former world champion eventually got the win with his sixth match dart, sinking an exquisite 110 finish.

“World No 1 or ranked 128, I don’t care, at the end of the day you’ve still got to beat me and that’s the way it goes,” said Anderson.

“Madars Razma was a serious threat in that match but Gary Anderson got there in the end and he can take a lot of positives away. Maybe he needs to be a bit more clinical but he hasn’t played a lot of TV games and that was quite evident. It was a real good job from Anderson in the end. He’ll be satisfied with that.”

Mark Webster on Gary Anderson

Jim Williams dumped out multiple major winner James Wade in a shock at the Worlds

Former Lakeside finalist Williams pulled off a stunning 3-2 victory over eighth seed Wade to move into the third round of the tournament for the first time where he will meet German Gabriel Clemens.

The Welshman displayed prowess on the double, firing 107 and 119 along the way to knocking out ‘The Machine’.

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Humphries was relieved to find a way to get over the line against Hempel

Fifth seed Luke Humphries was forced to dig deep but ‘Cool Hand’ found a way to record a 3-2 victory over German star Florian Hempel with the aid of seven 180s despite 29 missed doubles.

“I felt really good up there but it just wasn’t happening for me,” said Humphries. “I was lucky to get over the line in the end. It was tough. I played nowhere near like I can but I’m through to the next round.”

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Menzies was quick to show his opponent Van der Voort all the love before Christmas

Vincent van der Voort was in red-hot form as ‘The Dutch Destroyer’ hammered Cameron Menzies 3-0 to make it through to a meeting with Humphries next Thursday.

The rapid-fire 47-year-old averaged 90.78, struck 12 140s and finished with 56 per cent on the doubles in a fine display.

DVD so close to nine-dart heaven

Dirk van Duijvenbode rose to prominence with a remarkable run to the World Grand Prix final in 2020

‘The Titan’ Van Duijvenbode reached the last 32 at Ally Pally – but only just – as he came from 2-1 down to edge out Sedlacek in an afternoon epic.

The world No 14 raced through the opening set with a stunning 108 average but squandered a string of missed double attempts to allow an early break in the second from Sedlacek, who sealed the set with a 13-dart leg.

Sedlacek claimed a final-leg victory in the third before Van Duijvenbode bounced back to win the next and take the contest to a decider in which ‘Aubergenius’ fired eight perfect darts then narrowly dipped low of the D12 target in pursuit of the first nine-darter of this year’s tournament.

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It was pure agony for Van Duijvenbode, who threw eight perfect darts before missing double 12 in his nine-dart attempt against Karel Sedlacek

Van Duijevenbode settled for a 10-dart leg and took advantage of a missed match dart on bullseye from Sedlacek to move the match to extra legs, where he rattled off 14 and 15-darters to secure a meeting with Ross Smith or Darius Labanauskas after Christmas.

“Yeah, I thought it [the nine-dart leg] was going in when it left my hand,” Van Duijvenbode admitted. “Sometimes you miss a nine-darter and you just know it’s not in and I threw it and thought ‘this is in’, but it wasn’t.”

“I barely recovered from the first set, where he came out with a 108 average and completely stormed the stage. We never expected it to be into a tie-break at the end of it all there! There was an absolute mirage of 180 and at one point he hit three in a row, one before the nine-dart attempt and then two inside the attempt. He missed a double for it and really, the amazing thing was he still could have lost after it and was in a bad position. He was incredibly pumped up and he dealt with it in the end, but it was a really tough grind for Dirk!”

John Part on Dirk van Duijvenbode

Mensur Suljovic claimed a straight-sets victory over Mike de Decker to book a third-round meeting with Michael van Gerwen, while Ryan Searle claimed a 3-0 victory over Adam Gawlas and will now play Jose de Sousa on December 28.

“Van Gerwen is favourite every time. I saw him on TV against Lewy Williams and he played brilliantly. The second set was fantastic but every game is different. I hope I can pressure him,” said Austrian star, Suljovic. “I like Michael – he’s my friend. I want to play my game, not his game. I have a good feeling.”

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Ryan Searle missed a match dart before Adam Gawlas brilliantly took out 150 to keep his hopes alive

Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski also reached the third round after defeating Danny Jansen 3-1, booking him a meeting with dancing Dimitri van den Bergh.

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Here’s a round-up from a superb afternoon session at the World Darts Championship

Friday at Ally Pally

Joe Cullen takes on Fallon Sherrock’s conqueror ‘Rapid’ Ricky Evans on Friday night before the Christmas break

The second round concludes across two sessions with 2018 world champion Rob Cross, seventh seed Jonny Clayton and Masters champion Joe Cullen among the high-profile names in action.

Following a three-day Christmas break, the third and fourth rounds will be held from December 27-30, before the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final take place from January 1-3.

Watch the 2023 PDC World Darts Championship – live on Sky Sports Darts – all the way through to the final on January 3.