World Darts Championship: Gerwyn Price knocked out by Brendan Dolan as Stephen Bunting and Chris Dobey win

Brendan Dolan upset Gerwyn Price in a rollercoaster match on Thursday night at the Alexandra Palace; the World Darts Championship runs all the way until the final on January 3, 2024 – we’re back on Friday at 12.30pm, live on Sky Sports Darts

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Brendan Dolan punished Gerwyn Price as he fought back and stole the third set by taking out 90 on the bull

Gerwyn Price is out of the World Darts Championship after losing 4-2 to Brendan Dolan in the third round.

In a repeat tie of the World Championship match from three years ago, which Price won on a sudden-death leg, it was Dolan who got the better of the Welshman this time around to reach the last 16.

It’s just the second time Dolan has gone beyond the third round at the Alexandra Palace.

Dolan got off to a sublime start against Price, 130 and 144 checkouts helping him on his way to taking the first set.

Price grew into the match and a nice break of throw clinched the second set, in which he averaged 106, to bring the game all square.

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Bendan Dolan lived up to his pre-match billing as he beat Gerwyn Price

Dolan continued to punish Price’s mistakes and a brilliant 90 checkout on the bull gave him a 2-1 lead but the Welshman stood firm and took the fourth set in straight legs to bring the match back to parity.

However, Dolan wasn’t fazed and won another deciding leg in the fifth set by taking out 90 with bullseye to get within a set of victory.

The Northern Irish player strolled into a 2-0 lead in the sixth set and missed a match dart at bull which Price punished and he soon was level in the set with a sensational 76 checkout. But, he couldn’t come back as Dolan found tops in the deciding leg to get over the line.

Dobey dazzles, as Bunting and Cullen come through thrilling afternoon

Chris Dobey defeated Ross Smith in a barnstormer of a clash at Alexandra Palace

Chris Dobey came through arguably the match of the tournament to set up a last-16 tie with the reigning champion Michael Smith.

‘Hollywood’ closed out a pulsating 4-2 victory over former European champion Ross Smith in a match which featured 27 180s and saw both players average over 102.

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Dobey nailed a 116 finish to grab the first set and he followed it with a 124 checkout on the bullseye at the start of the second against Smith

“I ground it out. Missing six darts to go 3-0, I thought I was home and hosed then even though Ross was playing fantastic. I was comfortable, I was hitting everything until the game turned and he does what he does,” said Bedlington thrower Dobey.

“I’m so glad to get through that against not just a tough opponent but one of my best friends who I spend a lot of time with.

“I’m just hoping for another performance like that and it’ll be another great game [against Michael Smith].”

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Dobey landed the winning darts before speaking to Abi Davies about his next match against Michael Smith

Stephen Bunting won a mind-blowing first set in a decider against Florian Hempel in a comprehensive 4-0 win, averaging 115.6 with four 180s and 100 per cent on the doubles.

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Stephen Bunting put on another dominant performance with a 4-0 win over Florian Hempel with Michael van Gerwen next up

Hempel took out a sensational 164 checkout, firing down three 180s and a 107.6 average.

‘The Bullet’ then wrapped up the second set 3-1 to double his lead with five maximums and a 111.7 average.

He came down a peg in the following two sets but he still had enough in the tank to complete a whitewash win to set up a mouth-watering last-16 clash against three-time champion Michael van Gerwen.

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Hempel landed this cracking 164 checkout in a magnificent opening set against Bunting

“Michael is a massive favourite. If he plays his game I’m going to be going home to watch the Liverpool match on New Year’s Eve,” said Bunting, a former Lakeside champion. “I’ll prepare the way I do and hopefully I can win.”

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Cullen hits the bullseye for this 121 checkout against Searle

Also in the afternoon, for the third time in his career Joe Cullen reached the last 16 of the World Championship. ‘The Rockstar’ claimed a barnstorming 4-2 victory against Ryan Searle, averaging 96.5 with seven 180s and punishing 39 missed darts at doubles from his opponent to set up a meeting with Luke Humphries or Ricardo Pietreczko.

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Joe Cullen sealed his spot in the last 16 and now feels his game ‘is there’

What’s happening on Friday at the World Darts Championship?

Raymond van Barneveld returns to action at the World Darts Championship on Friday

Welshman Jim Williams faces five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld for a place in the last 16, before two-time winner Gary Anderson rounds off the third round action against Croatia’s Boris Krcmar.

Three-time champion Michael van Gerwen then takes on Stephen Bunting and the fourth round begins with reigning champion Michael Smith going up against ‘Hollywood’ Chris Dobey.

The last 16 will conclude on December 30, with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final taking place from January 1-3.

The sport’s biggest event sees the remaining players compete for the Sid Waddell Trophy and £2.5m in prize money at Alexandra Palace. You can watch all the action live on our dedicated Sky Sports Darts channel.

Watch the World Darts Championship all the way until the final on January 3, 2024 – live on Sky Sports Darts. Stream Sky Sports with a NOW Sports Month Membership