The Master versus the Newcomer

The first day of 2013 will see the Sid Waddell trophy lifted for the first time. The two who will battle for that honour are Phil Taylor, making his 19^th world final appearance and vying for his 16^th world title, and Michael Van Gerwen, who will be making his first ever appearance in a world final and just one year older than when Eric Bristow lifted the title for the first time at 23.

The master faced an old nemesis in Raymond Van Barneveld in the semi-final. The Dutchman performed a valiant comeback in front of his wife and children but Taylor proved just too powerful. Although the match ended with a sour taste as Taylor took offence to Barney’s congratulations and it lead to security splitting the pair before leading Taylor off before Van Barneveld was allowed to exit the stage. Taylor did claim afterwards it was much ado about nothing and should be forgotten about.

The newcomer faced James Wade in the opening semi-final and the Dutch Destroyer had to overcome another consistent performance from the Machine. Van Gerwen almost wrote history as he hit the second nine darter of the tournament and then hit another eight perfect darts before missing the double-12 for two nine darters in consecutive legs.

After his quarter-final against Simon Whitlock, Van Barneveld claimed that he was no longer scared of Taylor. But the Dutchman began the match like a player who hadn't beaten Taylor on television for five years. Taylor won the first five legs before claiming the second set 3-1 with a 107-checkout.

Taylor then missed to darts to level the third set and the Dutchman managed to hold his nerve to take it without conceding and halve the deficit. This only seemed to anger The Power and he posted a 141-checkout in the second leg of the fourth set before taking the set with a 111-checkout in the following leg. Barney looked to still have some fight in him with a 136-checkout in the opening leg of the fifth set. But the Dutchman would then miss two darts to level the set, leaving Taylor to post-78 and take a commanding 4-1 lead.

Barneveld did manage to battle back from 2-0 down in the sixth set to force a deciding leg. But Taylor took the final leg to put himself one set away from a colossal victory, leaving Barney looking rather dejected and already out of the tournament.

But the Dutchman showed everyone that should write him off at their peril. He returned from the break looking rejuvenated and the head shaking turned into head nodding. Taylor hit a 107-checkout to force a deciding leg in the seventh set and then missed two match darts to allow Barneveld to pull a set back.

Taylor would then miss four darts at the double in the opening leg of the eighth set as Barney took a 116-checkout. The Dutchman would then take that set without conceding to make it 5-3. The Power, looking very anxious at this time, missed another two darts to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the ninth set. Barney responded with a 125-checkout via bull, 25, bull before going on to take a 2-1 lead. Taylor again put himself within a leg of winning the match, but Barney took the deciding leg to make it 5-4.

Taylor again missed three darts to go 2-0 ahead in the tenth set. But he recovered to hit a ton checkout with two double tops to once again go one leg from victory. The Dutchman was finally broken when he missed two darts to save the match and Taylor had booked his place with a 6-4 victory.

It was the same scoreline for Van Gerwen against Wade. The Dutchman was slow to get going and missed 11-darts to level the opening set. He did manage to recover to force a deciding set but Wade took a 105-checkout to take the first set. Van Gerwen woke up and hit a 104-checkout in the first leg of the second set before winning it without conceding after Wade missed three darts in the third leg.

The Dutchman then made it six consecutive legs, with a 90-checkout via the bull, to take a 2-1 lead. That soon got extended to nine consecutive legs to make it 3-1. Wade managed to stop the rot by taking a 2-0 lead in the fifth set. Van Gerwen again responded with the fantastic nine darter before hitting another eight perfect darts in the fourth leg. He missed the dart at double-12 but came back to the oche to force a deciding leg. That ultimately counted for nothing as Wade smashed a Shanghai 120-checkout to win the set and make it 3-2.

The fired Wade up and he took the sixth set without conceding to level the match up. Van Gerwen was 15-points ahead of Wade on the averages for most of the game and the Dutchman would make it 4-3, winning the seventh set 3-1 after the pair shared the opening two legs. Van Gerwen then missed three darts to take the eighth set without conceding. Wade managed to come back and force a deciding leg, but Van Gerwen recovered to win it and take a 5-3 lead.

The Dutchman then had to force a deciding leg in the ninth set, putting just one leg away from victory. Van Gerwen also got down to the double first but he missed a big-12 and ended up hitting five to prevent himself a shot at a finish. Wade gobbled up the present and reduced the arrears to just one set once again. The mishap didn't deter Van Gerwen though as he roared back to take the tenth set without conceding and book his place in his first ever world final.

    

Lamps Shows Chelsea Why They Need Him As QPR Sink Further

QPR 0-3 Liverpool: Liverpool move into the top half of the table as QPR sink to eight points from safety at the bottom of the table. QPR found themselves 1-0 down after just ten minutes when Luis Suarez once again grabbed the headlines with a solo goal. Suarez then made it 2-0 with his 11th goal of the season, matching last season's total. The points were wrapped up after just 28-minutes when Daniel Agger headed home from a corner.

Everton 1-2 Chelsea: Chelsea reclaim third place, still with a game in hand over Tottenham, after coming from behind to win. Everton went in front after just two minutes when Victor Anichebe's header came off the post, only for Steven Pienaar to score the rebound. Chelsea levelled three minutes before half-time when the man who may be on his way out, Frank Lampard, headed home from a Ramires cross. Lampard then won the game for Chelsea on 72-minutes when he bundled the rebound after Tim Howard parried a Juan Mata shot. Everton now slip to sixth, level on points with West Brom below them and Arsenal, who have that game in hand, above them.

Arsenal 7-3 Newcastle: Arsenal sit fifth, with a game in hand over Tottenham, after winning a game that saw one less goal than the Premier League record. The deadlock wasn't actually broken until the 20th minute when Theo Walcott broke the offside trap a rolled the ball past Tim Krul and into the bottom corner. Newcastle equalised two minutes before half-time with Demba Ba scoring straight from a free-kick. Arsenal re-took the lead five minutes into the second half through Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain but Newcastle were level again just before the hour mark when Sylvain Marveaux tapped home a Gabriel Obertan low ball. Lukas Podolski would make it 3-2 on 64-minutes before Ba was able to head home Newcastle's third equaliser just five minutes later. The freshness of Arsenal paid dividends towards the end though and Walcott made it 4-3 with his second on 73-minutes. Substitute Olivier Giroud added a fifth six minutes from the end before the Frenchman made it two goals in three minutes. Walcott managed to get his hat-trick in injury time when he recovered from a foul in box to get back up and chip it over Krul. Newcastle are now just three points from safety.

Norwich 3-4 Manchester City: Ten man City remain seven points off the top after edging this seven goal thriller. Edin Dzeko finished off a nice move between himself, Sergio Aguero and David Silva to give City the lead after just two minutes. That became two in four when the Bosnian tapped home an Aguero pull back. Norwich pulled one back on the quarter of an hour mark when Anthony Pilkington's low free-kick was deflected in. City then went down to ten men just before half-time when Samir Nasri took offence to a Sebastien Bassong foul and went in with a head-butt. That didn't deter City though as they re-established a two goal lead five minutes into the second half through a chipped goal by Aguero. Norwich weren't done and they made it 3-2 when Russell Martin headed home from a corner on 63-minutes. But City once again had their two goal advantage just four minutes later when a Dzeko shot hit the post before going in off Mark Bunn. Martin was on the scoresheet again to make it 4-3 on 75-minutes after he finished off another poorly defended corner. But the visitors managed to hold on the three points.

Aston Villa 0-3 Wigan: Villa remain just a point outside the relegation zone after now conceding 15-goals in their last three games, without scoring. Ivan Ramis put Wigan ahead after three minutes with a free header from a corner. It was 2-0 seven minutes into the second half when Emerson Boyce finished off a one-two with Arouna Kone into the bottom corner, the second time they've score twice away from home this season. The points were wrapped up four minutes later when Kone strolled past Brad Guzan and rolled it into empty net. Wigan now go ahead of Villa on goal difference and also remain a point ahead of the drop.

Stoke 3-3 Southampton: Southampton remain a point from safety after a killer blow in injury time. Saints took the lead after ten minutes when Rickie Lambert tapped home a Guly Do Prado cross. Stoke levelled on 16-minutes when Kenwyne Jones flicked the ball past Kelvin Davis with a back-heel. Southampton regained the lead when Robert Huth put the ball onto his own crossbar before Jay Rodriguez scored the follow up on 24-minutes. It was 3-1 nine minutes before half-time when Andy Wilkinson flicked a leg out and put the ball past his own keeper, taking their tally of goals conceded at the Britannia to seven this season. Stoke pulled a goal back when Matthew Upson finished off a scramble from a corner that wasn't cleared on 67-minutes. Steven N'Zonzi was sent off for a stamp after being angered at not getting a free-kick on 71-minutes. Stoke managed to keep their unbeaten home record when Cameron Jerome smashed a 33-yard half volley into the top corner, off the bar and post, in injury time. The point sees Stoke sit eighth.

Sunderland 1-2 Tottenham: Spurs go fourth after this victory, although Arsenal have played a game less. Sunderland took the lead five minutes before half-time when John O'Shea tapped home a parried free-kick for his first ever Sunderland goal. Tottenham were level three minutes into the second half when Carlos Cuellar headed into his own net from a corner. The winner came three minutes later when Aaron Lennon beat Simon Mignolet to the ball and slotted past the Belgian. Sunderland are now five points ahead of the relegation zone.

Manchester United 2-0 West Brom: United remain seven points clear at the top going into 2013. The deadlock was broken after nine minutes when Ashley Young's low cross was put into his own net by Gareth McAuley. The points were wrapped up injury time with substitute Robin Van Persie smashing a great shot into the top part of the net.

Fulham 1-2 Swansea: Fulham slip to just four points from safety after this defeat. Danny Graham gave Swansea the lead on 19-minutes with an acrobatic finish after a parried shot. Jonathan De Guzman made it 2-0 seven minutes into the second half after a poor pass from David Stockdale found a Swansea shirt. Bryan Ruiz tapped in a goalmouth scramble four minutes later but it wasn't enough to mount a comeback.

Reading 1-0 West Ham: Reading move to five points from safety after this victory. A very poor back pass from James Collins was pounced upon by Pavel Pogrebnyak to win the game after just five minutes. West Ham sit 12th but are only six points ahead of the relegation zone with a game in hand.

Champ Out As Van Gerwen Meets Wade In Semi

There will be no threepeat for Adrian Lewis after losing in one of the best quarter-final matches ever to Michael Van Gerwen. In contrast to the first two quarter-finals, tonight's action saw both matches require all nine sets to determine the second semi-final, James Wade versus Van Gerwen.

Lewis and Van Gerwen traded 23-180s and it may not have been so close in the Dutchman hadn't have missed so many doubles in the beginning. Lewis missed six darts to win the second leg, allowing Van Gerwen to take a ton checkout before taking the set without conceding.

But Van Gerwen then missed six darts to level the second set a 1-1. Lewis then survived another three missed doubles in the fourth leg to be able to take the second set 3-1. Van Gerwen responded to take a 2-0 lead in the third set before missing five darts in both the third and fourth legs to restore his set advantage. The fourth leg in that set saw Lewis hit an 84-checkout on the bull to force the deciding leg that Van Gerwen ultimately won to lead 2-1.

A 136-checkout from Lewis saw him take a 2-0 lead in the fourth set before two more missed darts from Van Gerwen allowed Jackpot to level the match without conceding. That only led to angering the Dutchman as he responded by winning the fifth set, also without conceding. Lewis kicked the sixth set off with a 138-checkout before a 102-checkout, after Van Gerwen missed a further two doubles, secured the set 3-1.

For the first time in the match, Lewis could have taken the lead after going 2-1 in front. But Van Gerwen hit a Shanghai 120-checkout to force another deciding leg which he won to lead 4-3. Lewis still wasn't finished and his best performance of the tournament produced another 3-1 set victory to force a deserved deciding set.

Van Gerwen began the final set with another classy 102-checkout. But Lewis came back to take a 2-1 lead and then missed two darts to win the match. Van Gerwen managed to level the set and force a tie-break situation. Van Gerwen smashed a 108-checkout to take the lead before managing to hit a crucial double four after three missed attempts to win the match and knock the double World Champion out.

It was just as a classic affair between Wade and Wes Newton. A nervy opening leg saw both players miss three darts at the double before Newton managed to take it. Wade followed that up with a 101-checkout but had to force a deciding leg but Newton continued to hold throw to take the opening set.

The Warrior would then miss three darts in the second leg of the second set to give Wade a 2-0 lead. But Newton managed to fight back to force another deciding leg that he ended up winning to move into a 2-0 lead. Another three missed darts from Newton allowed Wade to take the opening leg of the third set before halving the arrears with a 3-1 set victory.

A 103-checkout was sufficient enough for Newton to win the opening leg in the fourth set. He then lead 2-0 before missing three set darts to win it 3-1. Wade managed to recover and win the deciding leg to level the match up. Wade would complete the come back by taking the fifth set after conceding the first leg.

Newton then missed two darts at the double in the opening leg of the sixth set to allow Wade to take it without conceding and move into a 4-2 lead. The tide turned once again as Wade missed three darts at the double in the opening leg of the seventh set, allowing Newton to respond with a set without conceding of his own.

A 102-checkout from Newton started the crucial eighth set in style. The Warrior then used that to win the set 3-1 and set up a deciding set. Newton then crucially missed two darts to take a 2-1 lead in the final set and that finally broke him as Wade managed to win the set 3-1 and progress into the final four.

Barney and Taylor Set Up Mouthwatering Semi-Final

Raymond Van Barneveld and Phil Taylor will meet in the first semi-final after the first night of quarter-finals. Both matches, on paper, looked like they would be close but both Barney and Taylor were too good for Simon Whitlock and Andy Hamilton respectively.

Van Barneveld came out like a train in the beginning, a 116-checkout in the second leg being the only one he would concede in the opening two sets. The highlight in those first seven legs was a majestic 135-checkout from Barney. Whitlock responded in the third set with a ton checkout in first leg. Barneveld had to force a deciding leg in the set before Whitlock kept the throw and halved the deficit.

A 112-checkout from Barney levelled the fourth set before Whitlock had to force a deciding leg. The Dutchman managed to hit-86 on the bull to regain his two set lead. The first four legs in the fifth set all went with throw before Barney managed to break to then go within a set of victory. That seemed to break the Aussie's spirit as the Dutchman took the sixth set without conceding to book his place in the final four with a 102-average, the second highest of the tournament.

Taylor managed to score his first ton plus checkout of the tournament with his dismantling of Hamilton. Not only did The Hammer not win a set, he only managed to take two legs in the whole match. That shouldn't have been the case as Hamilton missed two darts in the third leg to prevent Taylor taking the opening set without conceding.

Taylor then punished another two missed darts from Hamilton with a 118-checkout in the opening leg of the second set. That pushed Taylor into a two set lead, still without conceding a leg. Hamilton finally won a leg in the opening of the third set. But that only angered Taylor as he took the following three legs to cruise into a 3-0 lead.

Taylor again took the fourth set without conceding to easily go to within one set of victory. Hamilton's second and final leg of the match came in the opener of the fifth set. But again this only upset the Power as he smashed through the next three legs to set up the tantalising tie against Van Barneveld.

Mighty Mike Crushes Jaws, Barney Derails Flying Scotsman and the Champ Improves

The final third round matches saw three top class games and it is now known that seven of the top eight ranked players have made the quarter final line-up. Joint tournament favourite, Michael Van Gerwen, managed to push Colin Lloyd aside. But the performance of the night once again went to Raymond Van Barneveld who took full advantage of Gary Anderson's missed doubles to blow him away. The defending Champion, Adrian Lewis, also performed better to see off his toughest test so far, Kevin Painter.

It wasn't Barney's best average of the tournament but his performance was still rather dominant, and the difference between him and Anderson was ultimately the doubles. The Scot missed two darts to take a 2-1 lead and break the throw in the opening set. This allowed Barney to take it and go onto win the set 3-2, with all legs going with throw.

The first break came in the third leg of the second set. Anderson again missed three darts to hold, but ultimately relinquished his darts as Barney took the set 3-1. The Dutchman then broke in the second leg of the third set after Anderson again missed three darts to hold. But Barney then missed two set winning darts for Anderson to break back and then go onto force a deciding set. Barney again held the throw to go 3-0 in front. At that stage, Anderson looked to lose all ambition and missed a further two darts in the opening leg of the fourth set. The Scot then missed another six darts in the third leg to allow Barneveld the fourth set without conceding to win the match 4-0, setting up a quarter final tie against Simon Whitlock.

There was a little niggle between Lewis and Painter during their match. Lewis did have a 95 average, his best of the tournament so far. He looked bang in form in the opening set, taking it without conceding. Painter looked to level with the second set by taking a 2-1 lead. But Lewis fought back to force a deciding leg which he also took to double his advantage.

It looked like it would be deja vu in the third set when Painter again went 2-0 ahead in the third set only for Lewis to again force a deciding leg. But this time Painter managed to hold his nerve to half the deficit. The fourth set again saw Painter take a 2-0 lead. But a 109 and a 100-checkout from Lewis forced another deciding leg. But again Painter managed to take it to level the match.

After conceding the first leg in the fifth set, Lewis took a 2-1 lead. Painter then missed two darts to force a deciding set, allowing Lewis to win the set 3-1. Lewis then took another four legs to win the sixth set by the same scoreline to win the match 4-2.

This sets up an extremely mouth watering quarter final tie against Van Gerwen after his victory over Lloyd. The Dutchman was suffering injuries to his feet which clearly made him limp but it didn't affect him too much. Lloyd went 2-1 ahead in the opening set only for Van Gerwen to fight back and win the set with a 116-checkout.

The Dutchman then made it five consecutive legs to go 2-0 ahead in sets, which included a 121-checkout. That became six legs before Lloyd finally stopped the rot and ended up taking the third set 3-1. Van Gerwen   went 2-0 ahead in the fourth set before Lloyd missed three darts to level the set, giving Van Gerwen a 3-1 lead. That became 4-1 three legs later as the Dutchman took the fifth set without conceding and came out with a 98-average.

Machine Too Efficient For Van Der Voort, Wizard Edges Chizzy, Newton Progresses

The World Championship returns from the Christmas break with another host of darting drama. There was little drama for James Wade against Vincent Van Der Voort or for Wes Newton against Mark Walsh. But Simon Whitlock needed to fight tooth and nail to see off a plucky Dave Chisnall.

A 157-checkout from Chisnall levelled the opening set before Whitlock took it with the deciding leg. With all five legs going with throw in the first set, it was perhaps a surprise to see the first two legs in the second set go against it. The Australian missed three darts in both the third and fourth legs to allow Chisnall to level the match.

Whitlock came back to trounce Chisnall in the third set without conceding. Only for Chisnall to retaliate by taking the fourth set without conceding to make it 2-2. Chizzy missed three darts in the third leg of the fifth set but he couldn't avoid losing it without winning a leg to find himself 3-2 behind. But Chisnall responded again by taking 76-out on the bull in the opening leg. Chisnall then missed three darts to take the set without conceding and a 126-checkout from Whitlock forced a deciding leg. Chisnall again regained his composure to take the leg and force a fifth and final set.

Whitlock began that set like a train, winning the first leg with a ton checkout before making it 2-0 with a fantastic 130-finish after Chisnall missed two darts at the double. But again Chisnall fought back and ended up forcing a tie-break situation before taking a 3-2 lead. An incredible 152-checkout from Whitlock again levelled the match and that seemed to break Chizzy's heart as Whitlock would take the next two legs to stumble into the next round.

Van Der Voort didn't really deserve to lose the match against Wade without winning a set, but missed doubles cost him dear. Just like in the last round, Wade started the match on fire, quickly winning the opening set without conceding. The Machine made it four straight legs before the Dutchman took a 2-1 lead in the second set. But Van Der Voort would then miss three darts in each of the following two legs to win it and ultimately found himself 2-0.

Van Der Voort began the third set with a 108-checkout before also taking the second leg. But Wade responded to force a deciding leg. The Dutchman would then miss two more darts to win a set, before Wade moved into a 3-0 lead. It would be a case of deja vu in the fourth set as Van Der Voort took the opening leg before missing three darts in both the third and fourth legs to allow Wade to win it 3-1 and progress into the quarters.

Newton will face Wade in the last eight after seeing off the in form Walsh. Special Brew took the opening leg in the first set before needing to set up a deciding leg which Newton would end up winning. Walsh did win the opening leg in the second set but Newton would then fire six straight legs to surge into a 3-0 lead.

Walsh would take the lead twice in the fourth set before Newton force a second deciding leg. The Warrior would end up missing a dart at the bull to win the match and Walsh managed to force another set. With momentum now in his court, Walsh took the opening two legs in that set before Newton fought back to take it 3-2 and go through.

Johnson Haunts City, United Edge Seven Goal Thriller in Injury Time, Bale Grabs Hat-Trick and Reading Reach Double Figures

Manchester United 4-3 Newcastle: Newcastle took the lead three times only for United to comeback and move seven points clear at the top. The deadlock was broken after four minutes when Demba Ba's shot was parried by David De Gea, straight to James Perch who tapped it home. United levelled when Jonny Evans slid home Javier Hernandez's parried shot from a corner on 25-minutes. Evans then put Newcastle 2-1 ahead three minutes later when he inadvertently put the ball in his own net from a cross. The linesman had initially ruled the goal out for offside against Papiss Cisse, but referee Mike Dean chose to overrule him and deemed Cisse not to be interfering with play. Incredibly for the fourth time this season, Patrice Evra got himself on the scoresheet with a goal from outside the box 13-minutes into the second half. Newcastle retook the lead on 68-minutes when substitute Gabriel Obertan pulled the ball back for Cisse to smash home. This time the lead only lasted for three minutes before Robin Van Persie rejoined Michu as the league's top goalscorer on the second time of asking. The winner eventually came in the 91st minute when Hernandez poked a Ryan Giggs lob past Tim Krul. Newcastle now remain five points ahead of the bottom three.

Sunderland 1-0 Manchester City: For the second season running, City lose at the Stadium of Light. The only goal of the game came from former City player, Adam Johnson, who managed to out fox Joe Hart with a long range effort which Johnson initially didn't realise had actually gone in. City now fall seven points behind United whereas Sunderland move seven points above the drop.

Aston Villa 0-4 Tottenham: Spurs go fourth on goal difference after a Gareth Bale hat-trick, meaning Villa have now conceded 12-goals in their last two games. After a dominant first half, Spurs finally took the lead 12-minutes into the second through Jermain Defoe for his tenth goal of the season. Bale made it 2-0 just after the hour mark. Another defensive mistake allowed Bale to make it 3-0 on 73-minutes before getting his hat-trick seven minutes before half-time. It's now one win in 12-Boxing Day fixtures for Villa as they still sit three points above the drop and have a huge game against Wigan on Saturday.

Stoke 3-1 Liverpool: Stoke move up to eighth with Liverpool tenth after this result. Liverpool actually took the lead after just two minutes when they awarded a penalty. Ryan Shawcross pulled on Luis Suarez's shirt, but the foul began outside the box and it wasn't until the Uruguayan went down inside the box when Howard Webb blew the whistle. Steven Gerrard stepped up and converted past Asmir Begovic. The lead lasted only for three minutes when Jon Walters equalised before Kenwyne Jones made it 2-1 on 12-minutes when his header from a corner wasn't dealt with. The points were wrapped up for Stoke four minutes into the second half when Walters smashed home his second.

QPR 1-2 West Brom: QPR fall to the bottom of the table on goal difference after this delayed start due to traffic congestion. The opening goal came just before the half hour mark when Chris Brunt fired a long range effort into the bottom corner. It was then 2-0 four minutes into the second half when Robert Green palmed a corner into his own net, he argued that he was being fouled and prevented from catching the ball but even so Green should have done better than a feeble pat into his own net. Djibril Cisse did pull one back on 68-minutes but it wasn't enough to provide a comeback for Rangers. West Brom now sit sixth, level on points with Spurs and Everton.

Everton 2-1 Wigan: Wigan remain a point from safety as Everton slip to fifth on goal difference. Leon Osman put Everton ahead seven minutes into the second half before Phil Jagielka made it 2-0 with a header on 77-minutes. Arouna Kone did pull one back for Wigan eight minutes before the end but it was too little too late.

 Norwich 0-1 Chelsea: Chelsea go four points behind Manchester City with a game in hand after this victory. The only goal of the game came seven minutes before half-time when Juan Mata found some space just outside the box to smash the ball home. This second consecutive defeat sees Norwich just slip out of the top half on goal difference.

Fulham 1-1 Southampton: Saints move a point ahead of the relegation zone, with a game in hand, after this draw. It was the hosts who actually took the lead on eight minutes when Kelvin Davis failed to deal with a low cross and Dimitar Berbatov gratuitously spiked the ball into the net. Southampton were then given a penalty five minutes before the end for a Chris Baird handball. Rickie Lambert stepped up and Mark Schwarzer could only palm the powerful strike into the net. Fulham now sit six points above the relegation zone.

Reading 0-0 Swansea: Reading move off the bottom of the table on goal difference as they finally hit double figures. This result marks three consecutive draws for Swansea although the league's top goalscorer, Michu, had the best chances to add to his tally. Reading did have the ball in the net through Adam Le Fondre, but he put it in with his hand the goal was rightly disallowed. 

The Hammer Kills The Bull, Taylor Better With Win Over Thornton, MVG Gets Highest Second Round Average

The final session before Christmas saw the end, and the highest average, of the second round and the opening two matches of the third round. Michael Van Gerwen became the joint favourite after coming from behind to see off Peter Wright. Terry Jenkins looked great against John Part in the second round, but missed doubles allowed Andy Hamilton to set up a quarter final tie against Phil Taylor, who looked much better against a sorry Robert Thornton.

Taylor averaged seven points more than in the second round, still under a ton, but will be extremely satisfied that Thornton couldn't cope with the heat on stage. The Scot did take the opening leg before Taylor answered the question of how he was going to perform with a fantastic 131-checkout to level.

From there, Taylor would win the next five legs to go two sets in front, the fifth leg saw Thornton miss three darts to make it 2-1. A 105-checkout from Taylor made it six straight legs before Thornton finally got another leg on the board. The Scot then took lead in the set with a 121-checkout, but Taylor would force a deciding leg before going 3-0 up. That broke Thornton all together as Taylor took the next set without conceding to book his place into the last eight.

Hamilton can somewhat thank his lucky stars that he beat Jenkins, especially by four sets to one. The Hammer did take the first leg, but Jenkins roared back with a 120-checkout via a double top followed by a double ten to take the lead before winning the set 3-1.

Jenkins then went 2-1 ahead in the second set and then missed three darts at the double to take a 2-0 lead. Hamilton gobbled up this opportunity by forcing the deciding leg before managing to level the match. This gave him full momentum and he took the third set without conceding to take the lead in the match.

Jenkins missed a dart at tops in the third leg of that set before missing another dart at tops in the opening leg of the fourth set. The Bull then missed three legs to take that set 3-1 as Hamilton again forced another deciding leg. This almost didn't bother Jenkins as he quickest to the double again. But he missed a further five darts at the double to give Hamilton a 3-1 lead. The Bull wasn't completely out of it still at this stage. He again went 2-1 ahead in the set before Hamilton once again came back to force a third deciding leg. A 130-checkout then sealed the match for Hamilton to set up a tough match for Mr.Taylor.

The final second round match put Van Gerwen up against Wright, the man who claimed that Van Gerwen wasn't good enough. The players both missed three darts each in the opening legs, to make it 1-1. Wright asked the question of Van Gerwen and the Scot put the pressure on by taking the opening set 3-1.

Van Gerwen tried to respond in the second set with the opening two legs. But a 121-checkout from Wright forced a deciding leg which he went onto win to go 2-0 ahead and began to make the Dutchman sweat. Although the pressure didn't show as the Dutchman composed himself and won the third set without conceding.

Wright took the opening leg of the fourth set, but that only temporarily halted the recently renovated Van Gerwen express as the Dutchman took the following three legs to win the set 3-1 and level the match. It soon became one leg in ten for Wright as Van Gerwen took the fifth set without conceding to take the lead in the match. Van Gerwen missed three darts at the double as Wright hit a 141-checkout to level the sixth set at 1-1. Again this only halted the Dutchman as he would take the next two legs to progress into the third round with an average of 102, the second best of the tournament so far.

Chelsea Third After Eight, United's Lead Now Only Four After Draw

Chelsea 8-0 Aston Villa: Chelsea reclaim third, with a game in hand, after spanking a very sorry and lacklustre Villa. The thrashing began after just three minutes when Torres scored a decent header. David Luiz was moved into midfield for this match and marked with a Ronaldo-esque free-kick just before the half hour mark. It would be 3-0 before half-time when Branislav Ivanovic finished off a half-cleared corner 11-minutes before the whistle. There was no change from Villa in the second half and a cool finish from Frank Lampard 13-minutes after the restart marked his 100th goal in London. Substitute Ramires made it 5-0 on 75-minutes before fellow substitute Oscar converted a penalty four minutes later, which he had won. Eden Hazard made it seven seven minutes before the end and third substitute Lucas Piazon could have marked his Premiership debut with a goal, but his penalty kick was smartly saved by Brad Guzan. Chelsea weren't to be denied their eighth though and Ramires would get his second in injury time. This sorry result leaves Villa three points ahead of relegation.

Swansea 1-1 Manchester United: United lose two points of their lead although this game has now become about Sir Alex Ferguson and Ashley Williams, not a great game for the neutral or a fantastic point for Swansea. United took the lead just after the quarter of an hour mark when Patrice Evra headed a corner home for his third goal of the season. But Swansea levelled just before the half hour mark when a defensive lapse saw Jonathan De Guzman through but his shot was parried by David De Gea, only for Michu to follow it up for his 13th goal of the season. United did come closest to winning the game when Robin Van Persie and Michael Carrick both hit the bar. But the game will be remembered for a foul on the Dutchman; after the whistle had gone Williams smashed the ball into the back of Van Persie's head from minimal distance. The Dutchman instantly got up and tried to tussle with the Welshman. Both received a yellow card for their parts in the brawl. Williams protested his innocence by saying it was just a reactive clearance that unluckily hit Van Persie. But replays showed Williams was looking at the Dutchman when he kicked the ball, and it was this that enraged Fergie the most. He feels that Williams should be banned for a long, long time even though he already got booked as he thinks he could have killed Van Persie.

Manchester City 1-0 Reading: Reading were seconds away from reaching double figures before Christmas at the Etihad. The only goal of the game came in the 93rd minute from a diving Gareth Barry header. The win for City sees them go four points behind Manchester United.

Wigan 0-1 Arsenal: In the season of good will, Arsene Wenger will be grateful for the present from Jon Moss. The referee awarded a penalty to the visitors when Theo Walcott went down far too easily under slight contact from Jean Beausejour. Mikel Arteta converted the penalty on the hour to put them fourth on goal difference. Wigan will remain in the bottom three over Christmas, although only on goal difference.

West Ham 1-2 Everton: Everton go fifth on goal difference, level with Arsenal, Tottenham and West Brom, as Chelsea play the first of their games in hand tomorrow just a point behind. The opening goal of the came on 14-minutes when Carlton Cole scored from outside the box. Everton levelled on 64-minutes through Victor Anichebe and three minutes later, West Ham were down to ten when Cole was given a straight red for a simple high foot. Everton took full advantage with Steve Pienaar making it 2-1 on 73-minutes. Referee Anthony Taylor then levelled things up when he issued Darron Gibson a straight red for another innocuous high foot in injury time. 

Liverpool 4-0 Fulham: Liverpool move into the top half of the table after this crushing victory over Fulham. Martin Skrtel broke the deadlock on eight minutes when he fired a bullet half-volley from a corner home. Steven Gerrard latched onto a fantastic Luis Suarez through ball to slot home and make it 2-0 nine minutes before half-time. Stewart Downing guaranteed the points six minutes into the second half when he cut inside and finished well. Suarez had the final say in injury time with Liverpool's fourth from a small pull back. 

West Brom 2-1 Norwich: West Brom end a four match streak without a victory to go level on points with Everton, Tottenham and Arsenal. Norwich actually took the lead on 23-minutes through Robert Snodgrass. West Brom got their crucial equaliser two minutes before half-time thanks to Zoltan Gera. The winner came eight minutes from the end when Romelu Lukaku scored his sixth of the season. Norwich remain in the top half despite the defeat.

Southampton 0-1 Sunderland: Southampton remain out of the bottom three on goal difference despite this defeat. There was no surprise to see that the only goal in the game came from Steven Fletcher three minutes before half-time, his eighth of the season. The win for Sunderland sees them move four points ahead of the relegation zone. 

Newcastle 1-0 QPR: QPR remain five points from safety after Harry Redknapp's first defeat in charge. The winner came nine minutes from the end when substitute Shola Ameobi performed a fake shot before placing the ball into the bottom corner, his first since March. The win for Newcastle sees them move five points clear of the drop. 

Tottenham 0-0 Stoke: Spurs drop to sixth on goal difference after this goalless draw. The point sees Stoke in ninth place, level on points with Liverpool above them and Norwich below them. Tottenham had the more frequent and better chances, but they couldn't put the ball past Asmir Begovic.

Van Der Voort Beats 9-Dart Winstanley, Walsh Upsets Pipe, Wade

The World Championship received a nine darter in this afternoon's session, banking Dean Winstanley £15,000. It wasn't enough for him to progress into the third round though, as Vincent Van Der Voort beat him. Mark Walsh provided somewhat of a surprise in the opening match, beating Justin Pipe while James Wade produced a mild 92 average to see off Steve Beaton.

Van Der Voort began like a train against Winstanley, wrapping the opening set up with a 105-checkout without conceding a leg. That soon became six straight legs as Van Der Voort stormed into a 2-0 lead. Winstanley finally won a leg at the seventh time of asking and then the magic happened in the third leg. The back to back 180s set up the magnificent 141-checkout which Winstanley took to secure that nine darter.

The Dutchman forced a deciding leg in that set, but Winstanley held his nerve to take it and put a score on the board. This gave him the momentum and Winstanley powered through the fourth set, securing it with a 120-checkout without conceding to level the set. Van Der Voort responded by forcing a deciding leg in the fifth set which the Dutchman won to go within a set of victory.

Winstanley went 2-1 ahead in the sixth set before a 103-checkout forced another deciding leg. Van Der Voort would miss a dart at the double to win the match there and then. But Winstanley forgave his opportunity by busting his score, allowing the Dutchman to wrap the match up and progress.

It was a relatively decent performance from The Machine against Beaton, which moved up and down the gears. Wade also started his match like a train, taking the opening in minutes without conceding, that also included a 121-checkout in the second leg. Wade couldn't take the momentum through the break and he missed two darts to go 2-1 ahead. This was enough for Beaton as he would take the set 3-1 to level the match.

Wade again moved up the gears in the third set to again take it without conceding to go 2-1 ahead. Beaton was rejuvenated in the fourth set and this time it was he who took the set without conceding, levelling the match and making it another set going with throw. Beaton forced a deciding leg in the fifth set but Wade hit a stunning 130-checkout to claim the set and reclaim the lead for the third time in the match. Wade then went into overdrive after Beaton claimed the first leg of the sixth set; The Machine hit two double tops to checkout a ton to take a 2-1 lead. Beaton then bust-122 before Wade sealed the victory with another impressive 120-checkout.

After a great year for Pipe, it was definitely a shock to see the rejuvenated Walsh win the match. Walsh missed three darts at the double to claim the first without conceding. Pipe then missed three darts of his own to level the set as Walsh took it 3-1.

Walsh then hit a 101-checkout in the second leg of the second set before doubling his lead without conceding. Pipe instantly retaliated by winning the third leg without conceding to halve the score. Pipe then made it four straight legs before Walsh came back to take the fourth set 3-1 and re-establish a two set lead.

The pair were then level at 1-1 in the fifth set before the game had to be stopped because Pipe broke a dart. Walsh had to lend the Taunton thrower a spare dart whilst his got fixed backstage. That almost haunted Walsh as he was made to force a deciding leg which Pipe ended up winning to make it 3-2. Walsh would then miss a dart to win the set 3-1, and the match, but he regained his composure to win the deciding leg and set up a last-16 tie against Wes Newton.

Newton and Whitlock Cruise Through, A Stuttering Lewis Progresses

The World Champion manages to get into the third round with the lowest average of all the second round winners so far, 87.95. Although he concluded the night against Denis Ovens, Simon Whitlock's 96 average and Newton's impressive 99 average were much better performances.

Lewis has been given the same fortuitous draw as Taylor, because if either had played better, in form players, they would not have got into the third round and will need to improve when they meet Kevin Painter and Robert Thornton respectively. Despite being under par, Lewis won the first five legs before making six out of seven to go 2-0 ahead.

Ovens managed to wake up in the third set and proved how badly Lewis was playing by taking the third set without conceding. The following sets did improve somewhat and were much closer. Ovens took a 2-1 lead in the set, but Lewis responded to take the fourth set. A 113-checkout was probably the highlight of the match. It came from Ovens to level the fifth set and take it into a deciding leg. Lewis managed to take it to win the match 4-1.

The night began with Newton against one of the shock victors of the first round, Scott Rand. An impressive 144-checkout gave Newton a 2-1 lead in the opening set before the Warrior took it in the deciding leg. Newton then hit a 143-checkout to begin the second set and he then found another impressive 133-checkout to win the second set 3-1.

Newton then missed nine darts at the double to allow Rand to level the third set. Rand then managed to force a deciding set before Newton again took it to go within a set of victory. That looked to break Rand as Newton steam rolled through the fourth set and sealed victory without conceding.

It was similar story for Whitlock who won the battle of the Wizards against Colin Osborne. Whitlock began the match by taking the first set without conceding. Osborne replied with the first two legs of the second set, but Whitlock managed to level with a 164-checkout before taking the deciding leg to double his advantage.

The third set was Osborne's turn to force a deciding leg after finding himself 2-1 behind. But Whitlock again managed the deciding leg to go within a set of victory. Just like Rand, that seemed to deflate Osborne as Whitlock ended how he finished, by winning a set without conceding to win the match 4-0.

Painter Resists Baxter Comeback, Lloyd Sees Off Webster and Barney Also Progresses

After the most impressive first round display, Raymond Van Barneveld sets up a last-16 tie against Gary Anderson after another decent performance against Brendan Dolan. Mark Webster couldn't continue his decent first round effort into the second round as Colin Lloyd managed to stem a slight comeback to also progress into the third round.

The afternoon session began with another second round classic between Kevin Painter and Ronnie Baxter. After being locked together after two legs, Painter quickly took the following two legs to take the opening set. Baxter missed two darts to win the second set without conceding. It didn't matter too much as Baxter would win the fourth leg to level the match.

Painter took a fabulous 151-checkout to begin the third set. This became the first of six consecutive legs as Painter moved into a commanding 3-1 lead, which included a 116-checkout to take the third set. The Artist then reeled off a seventh leg before Baxter retaliated to take the fifth set 3-1. The sixth set was taken without conceding by Baxter to set up a seventh and deciding set.

The Rocket continued his comeback to go within a leg of victory. This time it was Painter who had to force a comeback and he managed to force a tie-break situation. The fifth set also went the way of the Artist before Painter finally sealed the match with a 4-2 victory in the final set.

After a ton plus average in the first round, Barneveld could only muster a 95.75 average against Dolan. The Dutchman did continue where he had left off as he stormed the opening set without conceding. Dolan missed countless doubles in the second set but did manage to level the set at 1-1. But Barney continued to average 108 to win the set 3-1 and go 2-0 up.

Following the break, an imposter took Van Barneveld's place as the Dutchman suddenly lost his ability to hit anything. Dolan instantly capitalised with a ton checkout followed by a 124-finish to take the third set without conceding. Dolan then hit a 103-checkout to go 2-0 ahead in the fourth set but Barneveld regained composure to take the following three legs to move 3-1 ahead. The Northern Irishman managed to take the opening leg of the fifth set but that would be his last leg of the tournament as Barneveld took the next three legs to win the match 4-1.

Lloyd had to fend off a mini Webster comeback during his progress into the third round. Webster managed to hit a 129-checkout in the third leg before Lloyd forced a deciding set. Webster would miss three darts at the double as Lloyd found 117-checkout to steal the set.

Webster's doubles continued to be off target and Lloyd comfortably took the second set without conceding. The Welshman managed to force a deciding leg in the third set, but Lloyd again took it to take a commanding 3-0 lead. Webster wasn't done though and he managed to take the fourth set without conceding to finally post a set on the board.

Lloyd would go a leg away from victory in the fifth set. But Webster managed to force a deciding leg before taking his second set with a 110-checkout after Lloyd missed three darts to win it. Jaws then managed to go within a leg of victory once again before Webster prolonged the match for one more leg. But Lloyd finally managed to get the job done in the fourth leg to set up a date with the last-16.

Raging Bull Storms Through, Thorn Wins In Sudden Death, Power Struggles Through

After one of the best afternoon sessions in the history of the World Championships, the first night session of the second round matched it stride for stride. If Phil Taylor didn't have such a nice draw, it would be hard to have seen him reach the last-16 as he had the worst winning average on the day of 90.24. The Power will go onto meet Robert Thornton who won the first sudden death leg of the competition and looked very much like he could beat Taylor for the third time on TV this year if Taylor doesn't pick up his game. He'd also be hoping not to face Terry Jenkins any time soon as the Bull produced a fantastic performance against John Part.

Taylor concluded the night against Jerry Hendriks and missed three darts at the double to concede to opening leg. Hendriks would end up taking the set 3-1 to begin a possible shock in his debut year at the Ally Pally. But something happened to the young Dutchman following the break as his game deteriorated. Taylor wasn't vintage by any means but he was still somehow able to win 12-straight legs to win the match 4-1.

Thornton faced Paul Nicholson in one of the epics of the tournament so far, and the first match to go to sudden death. Despite losing the opening leg, Nicholson took the first set 3-1. The roles were reversed in the second set as Nicholson would win the first leg before Thornton took the second set 3-1 after Nicholson missed three darts to level the set.

Nicholson went 2-0 up in the third set and missed a dart to take it 3-0. No real damage was done though as Nicholson was able to win it 3-1 and retake the lead. The Asset then fired checkouts of 100 and 107 to take a 2-1 lead in the fourth set. But Thornton retaliated and ended up levelling the match with a 130-checkout.

With the momentum in the Scot's court, Thornton took a 2-0 lead in the fifth set. This time it was Nicholson to come back with a 91-checkout on the bull before forcing a deciding leg. But it would be Thornton who took the fifth leg to take a 3-2 lead in the match. A 136-checkout from Thornton put him a leg away from victory but Nicholson composed himself to take the following two legs and force a deciding set.

The pair still couldn't be separated after sharing the next four legs to force a tie-break situation. Thornton hit a 124-checkout to make it 3-2 and missed a dart to win the match in the following leg. The Scot then missed another three at the double as Nicholson took the lead in the set for the first time. A 130-checkout from Thornton again levelled the set before then taking a 5-4 lead. Nicholson held his throw to then force the sudden death leg. Thornton won the throw in the closest to the bull and it paid off as he hit-40 to book his place into the third round.

After his rant about the murals, it looked like Part was still thinking about it against Jenkins. The Ally Pally staff had since added Part's face to the halls but it didn't nothing to motivate the Canadian. Jenkins stormed the first set without conceding before hitting checkouts of 110 and 116 to go 2-0 ahead in the second set. The Bull would then take the set 3-1 to go 2-0 ahead in the match.

Part managed to level the third set at 1-1 before Jenkins made it 3-0 after winning the set 3-1 with a ton checkout courtesy of two double tops. Part managed to rejuvenate himself somewhat in the fourth set with a 107-checkout in the middle of a 3-0 victory. But it didn't do enough as Jenkins responded with a 3-0 set victory of his own to cruise into the second round.

Hamilton and Chisnall Progress While Anderson Pushed All The Way

The second round of the World Championship kicked off with three fantastic matches. On paper there was nothing to split Andy Hamilton and Richie Burnett and that proved to be the case. But it looked like both Dave Chisnall and Gary Anderson would have easier matches against the preliminary winners, Daryl Gurney and John Bowles, but both stumbled into the third round.

The afternoon session concluded with Anderson needing a tie-break against the fantastic Bowles to squeeze into the third round. The Scot again finished on a near 100-average and that began by taking the opening leg with a 142-checkout. Anderson then found a 118-checkout to force a deciding leg which he would win and take the lead. Bowles responded with a second set without conceding. meaning in match play Bowles would have lead 5-3.

Anderson hit a 124-checkout to take a 2-1 lead in the third set before making it 2-1 in sets with the following leg. Anderson missed seven darts to take the fourth set which Bowles recovered to level the match.  Bowles then found a superb Shanghai 120-checkout to steal the fifth leg in the fifth set to move 3-2 ahead. This put Anderson on the back foot and he needed a 116-checkout to take a 2-1 lead before forcing a deciding set by taking the fifth leg to make it 3-3.

Bowles then went 2-0 up the final set and looked odds on to perform the fantastic shock victory. But the Widnes man would miss a couple of darts over the next two legs to win the match and Anderson had managed to force a tie-break situation at 2-2. Anderson had to level twice more to see the game go to 4-4 and two legs away from the first sudden death leg of the competition. The Scot finally managed to break Bowles and take a 5-4 lead before managing to hold throw and fall into the next round where he'll meet either Raymond Van Barneveld or Brendan Dolan.

Burnett found a brilliant 121-checkout to level the opening set 2-2 against Hamilton. The Hammer would the miss three darts to win the deciding leg before the Welshman took the set. Burnett found another three figure checkout in the second set on his way to again levelling it at 2-2. But this time it was Burnett who missed four darts to take a 2-0 lead and Hamilton gleefully levelled the match.

Burnett started the third set with a second 121-checkout but had to force a deciding leg in a set for the third time in the match. Hamilton would again take the fifth leg to make it 2-1. With momentum firmly in his grasp, Hamilton started the fourth set with a 120-checkout before making it 2-0 with an 86-finish on the bull. Burnett once again showed his resilience to once again force another deciding leg but Hamilton made it 3-1 with another sublime 138-checkout. That seemed to break Burnett's heart as Hamilton found a 108-checkout followed by a 110-checkout to win the set without conceding and winning the match 4-1.

It was the same scoreline for Chisnall, but a 4-1 victory is an extremely flattering scoreline. All five sets went the distance with the players separated by two points on the averages and a single percentage in the finishing.  Chisnall had to level the opening set to force the deciding leg which he won to take the lead. It was deja vu in the second set as Chisnall once again found himself 2-1 behind before recovering to win it and take a 2-0 lead.

Chisnall then had to go one step further in the third set as Gurney went 2-0 ahead in the third set and missed darts to win the set. But Chizzy recovered yet again to take a 3-0 lead. He then finally managed took a lead in the fourth set with the opening leg, but he soon had to force a fourth deciding leg with a 107-checkout. This time, the Northern Irishman finally won a fifth leg in a leg to put a set on the board. Gurney once again missed darts to make it 3-2 after taking another 2-0 lead in the set. But, as per the rest of the match, Chisnall again reeled off three straight legs to claim the fifth set and book his place into the last-16.

MVG and VdVV Through, Huybrechts Out as First Round Concludes

The final day of first round matches took a rather European twist with Michael Van Gerwen, Vincent Van Der Voort and Kim Huybrechts all in action. The two Dutchman managed to through without conceding a leg while Huybrechts suffered a shock defeat. There was also a return to the oche for 58-year old Paul Lim, making his 19th appearance on the world stage.

The Singaporean faced Malaysia's Mohd Latif Sapup in the preliminary qualifier and, after sharing the opening two legs, Lim rolled back the years by winning it 4-1 to set up the tie against Michael Van Gerwen. Lim is credited with the first nine darter in World Championship history in 1990 and hasn't featured on the world stage since 2001, but the Soft-Tip Champion would take two of the first three legs against the Dutchman.

Van Gerwen, like most so far this round, was extremely below par but he did recover to take the opening set in the deciding leg. Lim once again rolled back the years with a superb Shanghai 120-checkout to kick off the second set. Van Gerwen recovered once again to win the set 3-1 and go within a set of victory. The first man to hit a nine darter then became the first man to hit a 170-checkout in this year's tournament to level the third set. Van Gerwen retaliated with a 116-checkout before again taking the set in the deciding leg to book his place against Peter Wright in the second round. The Dutchman will be looking to improve on his doubles as he only hit nine out of 37 against Lim.

It was just as much of a battle for Van Der Voort against Stuart Kellett. Kellett levelled the opening set before the Dutchman won it 3-1. Kellett then had to level the second set to force a deciding leg in the second set before Van Der Voort once again took it. The Dutchman would then win the game in four legs to set up a tough match against Dean Winstanley.

The surprise of the night saw Huybrechts lose to an impressive Scott Rand. Rand was two darts away from a nine darter in the third leg, but the Belgian stole the show with a 127-checkout to take the set without conceding. Rand responded with a 107-checkout in the second leg of the second set before levelling the match, also without conceding in the set.

Huybrechts made it 2-0 in another set that only lasted three legs. The Belgian would level the fourth set at 1-1 before Rand took the set to force a deciding set. Huybrechts looked to gain momentum by taking the opening leg of the set but Rand came back and won the set 3-1 to progress to the next round.

Mark Walsh is the final name in the second round. He faced Darren Webster and took the opening set without conceding. Webster finally put a leg on the board before Walsh made it 2-0 with a 3-1 second set victory. Walsh levelled the third set before Webster recovered to win it 3-1 and take the set. Walsh then went 2-0 up in the fourth set before taking it 3-1 to advance into the second round.

Champions League Last 16 Draw

Galatasaray v Schalke

Celtic v Juventus

Arsenal v Bayern Munich

Shakhtar Donetsk v Borussia Dortmund

AC Milan v Barcelona

Real Madrid v Manchester United

Valencia v Paris St.Germain

Porto v Malaga

Whitlock and Pipe Ease Through, Jaws Kills Big Daddy in Tie-Break

Fifth seed Simon Whitlock books his place in the second round after victory over Japan’s Haruki Muramatsu. Muramatsu began the night in the preliminary round against New Zealand’s Dave Harrington, but the Japanese had no problem in dispatching the Kiwi 4-0 with a 116-checkout in the third leg.

Muramatsu was never going to be the favourite against Whitlock, but he did put in a decent performance. Whitlock began the match slowly but took the first set 3-1 after initially conceding the opening leg. Muramatsu won a second leg to level the second set at 1-1, but a 116-checkout from the Australian won the set 3-1 and put him within touching distance of the next round. Muramatsu would also take the opening leg of the third set before Whitlock once again won the set 3-1 to cruise into the next round.

In a rematch from the first round last year, Colin Lloyd faced America’s Darin Young. Last year, Lloyd won it 3-1 after losing the opening set. It began to look like déjà vu when Young started the match with a 101-checkout before taking the set 3-1 with an impressive 144-checkout.

Young took full advantage of Lloyd’s awful start to the match by taking a 2-0 lead in the second set. But Jaws finally woke up and would manage to level the set with a 114-checkout before levelling the match in the deciding leg. Lloyd had to level the set again to force a deciding leg in the third set, but this time Young would win it to go 2-1 in front.

Out of nowhere, Lloyd kicked up a gear and stormed the fourth set 3-0, winning it with a 124-checkout to again level the match and force a tense deciding set.  Despite being the nerviest part of the match, the fifth and final set saw the best darts from both players and Lloyd quickly took a 2-0 lead. This time it was Young to find a comeback and level the set to force a tie-break. A 115-checkout from the American levelled the set at 3-3 before he held his throw to take the lead. Lloyd also held his throw to make it 4-4 and then managed to take the following two legs to squeeze into the second round, where he will meet Mark Webster.

Justin Pipe strolled into the second round with a straight sets victory over Andy Jenkins. Jenkins was extremely underwhelming and was in danger of not winning a single leg. Pipe hit a 116-checkout in the fourth leg before taking the second set with a leg score of 6-0. Jenkins managed to wake up to take a 2-1 lead in the third set before Pipe fought back to win it and progress.

Ronnie Baxter also made it into the second round to face Kevin Painter after winning a battle of experience against Dennis Priestley. Baxter managed to take the opening set in four legs after initially going 2-0 ahead. Priestley went 2-1 ahead in the second set, only to see Baxter fight back and win the deciding leg to double his advantage. It was déjà vu in the third set as Baxter once again had to force a deciding leg. The Rocket then missed six darts to win the match as Priestley pushed in into a fourth set. With momentum in his court, Priestley would take a 2-0 lead in that set and would go onto miss three darts to level the match as Baxter forced another deciding leg. It would be a deciding leg that the man from Blackpool would win to go through with a 3-1 victory.  

Five Star Chelsea Return From Japan With Victory, Semi-Final Draw

Chelsea ease their World Club Championship heartbreak by placing themselves into the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup. In their first match since returning from Japan on Monday, they had the unenviable task of travelling to Elland Road on a cold Tuesday night.

The Premiership side didn't get off to the best of starts when David Luiz gave the ball away which lead to an attack where Luciano Becchio put Leeds ahead eight minutes before half-time. Fortunately for Chelsea, they regained their strength in the second half and Juan Mata got a timely equaliser just two minutes after the restart.

Branislav Ivanovic headed Chelsea ahead on 64-minutes before Victor Moses virtually ended the match two minutes later. The score became 4-1 when substitute Eden Hazard put the ball past the poor Jamie Ashdown nine minutes from the end. Fernando Torres had an easy tap in to make it 5-1 and round the match off three minutes later.

Chelsea's prize of getting into the semi-finals sees them host the first leg against Swansea in the all Premiership tie. Aston Villa have a great chance of getting to Wembley as they face Bradford over the two legs, the second of which being at Villa Park.

Newton Grows Into Next Round, Winstanley Recovers to Win in Tie-Break

Sixth seed Wes Newton books his place into the second round after victory over Johnny Haines. It was a slow start for Newton and Haines instantly broke the throw with a 95-checkout via 25 then bull. The first four legs actually went against the throw before Newton finally held to take the first set.

From there, Newton gradually improved and took the second set after being 2-0 ahead. The Warrior then went one better in the third set; winning it without conceding a leg to progress whilst, like many, growing into the tournament.

Dean Winstanley had to grow pretty quickly in his match against Mervyn King which proved to be the longest match so far in the first round. After four flawless legs with throw, Winstanley managed to break King and win the opening set.

Winstanley took the opening leg of the second set with a 106-checkout and went a leg away from making it 2-0 before King fought back to win the set via another deciding leg. That looked to give him full momentum as he powered through the third set without conceding and winning it with a 140-checkout.

But Winstanley wasn't finished and it was his turn to retaliate with a 3-1 fourth set victory to set up a tantalising deciding set. A 102-checkout from King put him 2-0 ahead and just a leg away from victory. But King couldn't complete the job and Winstanley would force the tie-break by levelling the set at 2-2. It then became advantage Winstanley as he took a 3-2 lead but this time King was the one to battle back, putting him in a winning position with a 4-3 lead. If it got to 5-5 the pair would have had to have played a sudden death leg, but Winstanley won the following three legs to finally win the set 6-4 and squeeze into the last-32.

There was no such drama for Steve Beaton who saw off Australia’s Kyle Anderson in straight sets. It wasn't as easy as the scoreline suggests and Anderson went 2-1 ahead in the first set before Beaton turned it around to take the set.

It was the same story in the second set as Anderson once again put himself a leg away from levelling the match. But again Beaton fought back to take the set with the deciding leg. This seemed to break Anderson as Beaton took the third set without conceding to stroll through.

As with the previous preliminary qualifiers, the standard was extremely high and Colin Osborne was the latest seed to be pushed by one. Philippines’ Lourence Ilagan faced Wales’ Jamie Lewis in the qualifier and Lewis began the match with a 118-checkout. Lewis then went 3-1 ahead before Ilagan prevented defeat with an impressive 121-checkout. That proved to be the pivotal moment as Ilagan took the next two legs to win the match 4-3 and book his spot against Osborne.

The Filipino continued from where he left off as well as he took the opening leg of the match. But Osborne recovered to take the opening set 3-1. Ilagan responded and went a dart away from winning the second set without conceding, however a 164-checkout from Osborne broke the spirit and changed the set. That was followed by a 106-checkout before Osborne wrapped the set up in the deciding leg. This heartbreak still didn't deter Ilagan and he went 2-1 up in the third set. But Osborne again found a pivotal ton checkout to force another deciding leg which he again won to also place himself into the second round.   

Wade and Webster Back, Second Prelim Through

After a pretty bad year, Mark Webster and James Wade looked like they had returned to form with impressive displays. The Machine faced Peter Hudson in the fourth of the night's matches and, after a shaky start, a 102-checkout paved the way for Wade to win to the first set 3-1.

Hudson did take the opening leg in the second set before Wade kicked up a gear and again took it 3-1. With the momentum firmly in his court, Wade returned to the oche to take the third set without conceding to book his place into the next round.

Webster faced a tougher opponent in Ian White and the Welshman opened the match with a 124-checkout. He followed that up with a 107-checkout to lead the set 2-1 before winning it the following leg. That seemed to knock White for six as Webster took the second set without conceding.

White recovered to take a 2-1 lead in the third set. Webster did force a deciding leg and then had eight darts to win the match before White won it to make it 2-1. Many thought this set back would crush Webster and allow White to come back and take the match. But, the Welshman suffered no ill effects as he took the first leg with a 145-checkout before winning it without conceding to progress into the next round.

Peter Wright also looked in form against the young Arron Monk. White began the match with a 140-checkout before winning the opening set 3-1. Monk was able to take the opening leg in the second set but again Wright would take it 3-1 to make it 2-0. A 126-checkout from Snakebite put him 2-0 up in the third set before winning the match with the following leg.

John Bowles became the second preliminary winner to progress through to the next round where he will meet Gary Anderson. Bowles began the night against Spain's Carlos Rodriguez in the qualifier. Despite taking the opening leg, Rodriguez found himself 3-1 down before eventually losing the match 4-2. The game saw an incredible 27 missed darts at the double.

That statistic may have put Jamie Caven in good stead in the final match of the night, but Bowles put up a fantastic fight. Bowles hit a 116-checkout to take a 2-1 lead in the opening set before winning it via a decider. The tide was turned in the second set and Caven produced a 110-checkout to level the match up with a 3-2 second set win.

This looked to give Caven the momentum and he took the third set 3-1 after conceding the opening leg. But Bowles fought back with a 104-checkout to level the fourth set. Caven did go within a leg of winning the match before Bowles recovered to take it 3-2 and force a deciding set.

Caven produced the better of the darts to begin with and again went within a leg of winning the match. Again Bowles fought back to force a sudden death scenario, the second of the tournament so far. But Caven's fight left him as Bowles took the following two legs to book his place in the next round.

Barnstorming Barney, Dolan and Hamilton Just Do Enough, Anderson Pushed All the Way

The third day of the World Darts Championships definitely became Super Sunday as Brendan Dolan, Andy Hamilton, Raymond Van Barneveld and Gary Anderson were all in action. All four managed to progress but with varying degrees of success.

Northern Ireland's Dolan took to the stage first against debutante Mark Jones. Despite not playing at his best, Dolan did manage a 50% checkout success rate which earned him the victory. The opening set saw Dolan take it without conceding. Jones managed to win the first leg of the second set but it would be only leg he would win in the whole match. Dolan completed the match with a 120-checkout to make a little statement but he will be looking to improve on his scoring in the second round.

It may be difficult for Dolan though as he faces a rampant Van Barneveld in the next round. The Dutchman faced Michael Smith and the game was over after just 18-minutes. Smith would also only take one leg in the entire match and that came in the opening leg. Barney was largely flawless throughout and stormed the second set with an incredible 125.3 average which included a 121-checkout. This performance was the best so far in the first round and has really set his stall out for this tournament, rounding the match off with a 111-finish.

It wasn't such an easy ride for Hamilton who faced James Richardson, the man to take Barney out in the first round last year. Richardson looked to continue from where he left off against Barney after taking the first 3-1, Hamilton hitting a 100-checkout in his only leg. Hamilton responded in deadly fashion with a 3-0 second set victory, including a 122-checkout.

Richardson did have the opportunity to win the third set, but Hamilton responded to win it 3-2 and take the lead in the match. A ton checkout from Richardson forced a deciding leg in the fourth set but Hamilton won it to brush off a tough task and make it into the second round.

Taking nothing away from Van Barneveld, the performance of the night may have to go to Finland's Jani Haavista. The World Championship debutant has definitely been the best Preliminary winner thus far, despite ultimately losing to Anderson over four sets.

Haavista's night began against his fellow Finn and good friend, Jarkko Komula. This was also perhaps the best preliminary qualifier as both players was hitting trebles galore. After Komula took the opening leg, he had to level the match at 2-2. Haavista then took the following two legs to book his place against Anderson.

Anderson became the second seed to average over 100 and he absolutely needed to, to see off the resilient Finn. It started looking like the Scot would win at a canter after taking the first set without conceding. But the second set would go with throw to give Haavista the second set. The Finn was extraordinary in the third set with checkouts of 107 and 130. But the set actually went with throw to give Anderson a 2-1 lead. Haavista still wasn't down and out and ended up levelling the set to force a deciding leg. But Anderson took the leg to see off the plucky Finn and book his place in the second round.    

Another Goalfest Between Reading and Arsenal

Reading 2-5 Arsenal: After their Capital One Cup goalfest, the Premiership fixture proved to be just as entertaining. Lukas Podolski opened the scoring on 14-minutes. Santi Cazorla hit two goals in two minutes shortly after the half hour mark to make it 3-0 before half-time. The Spaniard secured his hat-trick on the hour mark to guarantee the points. Adam Le Fondre managed to pull one back on 66-minutes before Jimmy Kebe made it 4-2 five minutes later. The final goal of the game came from Theo Walcott ten minutes from time. The win sees Arsenal move up to fifth and two points behind Tottenham while Reading remain bottom of the table and six points from safety.

West Brom 0-0 West Ham: There may have been a goalless draw played out at The Hawthornes, but it is bewildering as to how. Both teams looked threatening in attack but somehow couldn't break the deadlock down. West Brom came closest by hitting the woodwork in the second half but they still make it four games without a win.

Tottenham 1-0 Swansea: Spurs go fourth after this close fought victory over Swansea. Both teams had chances to win the game, but the winner came 15-minutes from time when Jan Verthonghen half-volleyed home from a free-kick for his first, officially, Premier League goal. Swansea still sit in the top half despite this defeat.

Newcastle 1-3 Manchester City: City recover from their derby defeat with a comfortable victory over Newcastle. This latest defeat for the Magpies sees their second defeat on the bounce and have now only won once in their last eight games. The deadlock was broken on ten minutes when Samir Nasri played the ball across to Sergio Aguero when the Frenchman was one-on-one with Tim Krul, the Argentine was only too happy to roll the ball into the empty net for his eighth of the season. City doubled their lead six minutes from half-time when a Javi Garcia header from a corner was air-kicked by Davide Santon and went into the net off of his standing leg. Newcastle were able to pull a goal back six minutes into the second half when Fabricio Coloccini hooked the ball back into the box from a corner for Demba Ba to head his 11th goal of the season. The points were wrapped up 12-minutes from time when a Pablo Zabaleta pull back was slid home by Yaya Toure. The lack of points sees Newcastle only two points ahead of the relegation zone with City remaining six points behind Manchester United.

Liverpool 1-3 Aston Villa: Villa move up to 14th and three points clear of the relegation zone and are now five Premiership games unbeaten. The youngest ever Villa side took the lead just before the half hour mark when Christian Benteke surprised Pepe Reina with a long shot that went in off the near post. Villa made it 2-0 five minutes before half-time when a Benteke back heel across the box was fired home by Andres Weimann. The game was all but over six minutes into the second half when Benteke ran into the box before rifling the ball into the top corner. Liverpool's consolation came three minutes before the end when the ball flicked off Steven Gerrard's shoulder from a Glen Johnson shot.

QPR 2-1 Fulham: QPR and Harry Redknapp win their first game of the season and promptly move off the bottom. QPR took the lead seven minutes into the second half when Adel Taarabt's shot was horribly deflected. The Moroccan then made it 2-0 by poking the ball into the bottom corner from outside the box on 68-minutes. Mladen Petric saw his shot loop over Rob Green from a deflection two minutes from the end, but QPR held on for the win. Rangers are now just five points from safety with Fulham five points clear of the relegation zone.

Manchester United 3-1 Sunderland: United remain six points clear at the top and have guaranteed that they'll be top over Christmas. This defeat for Sunderland means they sit a solitary point ahead of the relegation zone. United took the lead on 16-minutes when a failed clearance from an Ashley Young cross was fired into the top corner by Robin Van Persie. It was 2-0 three minutes later courtesy of a neat finish from Tom Cleverley following a one-two with Michael Carrick. The points were sealed just before the hour mark when a Van Persie low cross was stabbed home by Wayne Rooney. Another plus point for United was the return of Nemanja Vidic although he could nothing about Sunderland's goal in 72-minutes; the United defence stopped when they thought the ball was going out. But Stephane Sessegnon kept it in and crossed the ball for substitute Frazier Campbell headed home against his former club for his first goal since February.

Norwich 2-1 Wigan: Norwich are now unbeaten in ten in the league as Wigan remain in the relegation zone on goal difference. Anthony Pilkington fired Norwich ahead on the quarter of an hour mark. Wigan were level six minutes into the second half with Shane Maloney firing the ball home from the edge of the box. But Norwich would have their win on 64-minutes when the smallest man on the pitch, Wes Hoolahan, headed a Pilkington cross home.

Stoke 1-1 Everton: It's a game that won't be remembered for the football played as Marouane Fellaini was hell bent on grabbing the headlines, but for all the wrong reasons. Ryan Shawcross broke the deadlock, but he headed into his own net from a Steven Pienaar cross nine minutes before half-time. Stoke levelled seven minutes into the second half when Kenwyne Jones' header somewhat bamboozled Tim Howard at the near post. The controversy came after when Fellaini looked to see where the referee was before head-butting Shawcross during a corner. The following corner saw the Belgian then poke an elbow into the defender's neck, a move that Asmir Begovic took offence too but his protests to the referee only saw the goalkeeper booked for dissent. A third corner saw Fellaini go a step further and almost land a punch on Shawcross before conceding a free-kick for a foul, although neither official saw the attempted punch. But he should definitely be getting banned for his actions.

Taylor Struggles Through, Part and Chisnall Progress

Phil Taylor progresses into the second round of the World Championships with a very below par performance against Northern Ireland's Michael Mansell. Mansell did level the opening set before the Power took it 3-1. If Mansell was a better player, Taylor could have been in real trouble but he was still able to take the second set without conceding. Taylor completed the job in the third set with again not conceding a leg. Taylor will now face the young prospect, Jerry Hendriks in the next round.

Dave Chisnall also wasn't at his best despite beating Australia's Shane Tichowitsch in straight sets. The first four legs went against the throw before Chisnall took the opening set in the deciding leg. The second followed suite with Chisnall again winning the set in the final leg, putting him a set away from victory. Tichowitsch's resilience faded in the third set and Chizzy took it 3-1 to win the match and progress through.

John Part made a statement against Joe Cullen after his outrage in the normally formed Muralgate. The Canadian expressed his offence at not having his mural up in Ally Pally despite being a double World Champion. Darth Maple took the final two legs of the opening set to win it before beginning the second set with an impressive 127-checkout. Cullen did fight back to force a deciding leg that Part would win to put himself just one set away. Part would then seal the third set with a 108-checkout to win it 3-1 and book his place against Terry Jenkins.

16-year old Max Hopp from Germany almost put himself into the second round but couldn't quite finish the job. His night began with the preliminary match against South Africa's Charl Pietersen. Hopp took the first two legs of the match before coming out a 4-1 winner.

The victory meant he had a shot at the veteran Denis Ovens in the second round. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Ovens started the match slowly although Hopp did have to wait until the deciding leg to win the first set. Ovens retaliated and levelled the match by winning the fifth and final leg of the second set.

Hopp began to shock the darting world by placing himself just a set away from victory after winning the third set 2-1. But the German seemed to lose all of his steam as Ovens forced a deciding set after taking the fourth set without conceding. The fifth set was also not contested as Ovens again took it 3-0 to book his place into the second round.

Two Seeds Fall & a Prelim Progresses

The second day of the World Darts Championships saw the first real shocks of the tournament as two seeded players have fallen at the first hurdle. The biggest shock of the afternoon session saw Daryl Gurney of Northern Ireland make into the second round with a win over the seeded Andy Smith.

Gurney's day began with the preliminary qualifier over Croatia's Robi Marijanovic. After falling behind, Gurney levelled before taking the lead with a ton checkout. Marijanovic came back to lead 3-2 but the game turned again as Gurney took the next two legs to set up the first round match against Smith.

Smith wasn't at the races for most of the match and found himself 2-0 behind before he lost the opening set 3-1. Smith looked to turn it around with the opening leg of the second set but Gurney continued his good performance to again take the set 3-1, leaving him just one set from a famous victory. A 122-checkout from Gurney would set up a deciding leg in the third set but it was Smith who took it to put a set onto the ball. That may have rattled Gurney somewhat and qualifier magnificently took the fourth set without conceding to shock the world and book his place into the next round.

The day started as it finished, with a seed going out. Wayne Jones was the first on stage and he was defeated by Holland's Jerry Hendriks. The young man took all three sets but the scoreline hides the fact that all three went the distance. After taking the second set against the throw, the second set went with the throw to give Hendriks a 2-0 lead. Jones posted a 116-checkout to level the third set at 1-1 before Hendriks did the same the make it 2-2. The deciding leg saw Hendriks hit a superb 156-checkout to dump Jones out of the tournament.

Richie Burnett squeezes into the second round after an extremely nervy affair. It was a victory that saw the Welshman miss 46-darts at the double. Young James Hubbard was the opponent and was unsurprisingly nervous on his World Championship debut. Six legs had gone by with Hubbard only getting a dart at the double in one of them, making it two sets to nil for Burnett.

Hubbard woke up as Burnett began to lose confidence in himself and Hubbard took the third set 3-1. With a comeback on the cards, the crowd began to get on Burnett's back and it affected the Welshman. A 101-checkout from Hubbard was a great start to the third set but he then missed six darts at the double to allow Burnett to level the set. Burnett went onto have three darts to win the match but missed them and then another 101-checkout from Hubbard took the set 3-2 and levelled the match.

Burnett kicked the set off with a powered 112-checkout and again he wasted three darts to win the set 3-1. With the set at 2-2, the winner must now progress by two clear legs. Burnett held his throw to lead 3-2 before managing to break Hubbard and win it 4-2 to stumble into the next round.

Terry Jenkins eased into the second round with victory over Steve Brown. Brown was powerless to stop the raging Bull and conceding the first set without winning a leg. Brown did win the opening leg of the second set before Jenkins made it 2-0 with a 3-1 victory. Brown did end up taking a 2-1 lead in the third set but again Jenkins rallied back to take the set and charge into the next round.  

Champion Survives Vos Scare

The opening night of the 2013 World Darts Championships kicked off in dramatic fashion. The reigning World Champion, Adrian Lewis survived a tough test against 22-year old Dutchman, Gino Vos. Vos burst onto the stage and took the opening set without conceding. Like last year, Lewis was shocking to begin with but managed to level the second set with a 3-1 win.

Vos continued to perform out of his skin and missed two darts at the double to take the third set without conceding again. That seemed to be the wake up call Lewis needed. A 108-checkout levelled the set before taking a 2-1 lead in the match. A 120-checkout from Lewis kick started the fourth set before he eventually took it 3-1 to stumble into the second round.

The UK Open champion, Robert Thornton, cruised into the second round with a convincing victory over Sweden's Magnus Caris. The Scot started the night with a 150-checkout that led to a 3-0 first set win. Caris did manage to take the opening leg of the second set, but Thornton retaliated with three straight legs to make it 2-0. Thornton then concluded the match with checkouts of 150 and 130 to make a statement.

Paul Nicholson also progresses into the second round with a 3-0 victory. The Asset faced Holland's Co Stompe and the out of sorts Dutchman continued his poor form. A 106-checkout from put Nicholson 2-1 ahead in the first set before finishing it off in the next leg.

Stompe did take the opening leg of the second set, but Nicholson responded to win the set 3-1 and take a 2-0 lead. With that, Stompe was crushed and Nicholson took the final set without conceding to also make it through.

Hong Kong's Leung Chun Nam surprised the masses as he beat Germany's Andree Welge in the night's preliminary match. Leung took the first two legs before Welge posted on the board. But the Hong Kong continued his fantastic performance and won the match 4-1 to place him in the first round.

Kevin Painter would be Leung's first round opponent later on and the Artist proved to be too powerful despite another good performance from the Asian. Painter kicked the match off with a 160-checkout before Leung did level the set. But Painter would take the following two legs to win the set 3-1.

It was the same story in the second set, Leung equalising before Painter took it 3-1 to double his advantage. Leung's persistence was finally broken as Painter cruised to a 3-0 third set victory to seal his comfortable passage into the second round.

Europe Scrape Hat-Trick Crown

Team Europe overcame a fightback from USA to clinch their hat-trick Mosconi Cup and their sixth in seven years. With the score at 9-6 before the day's play, no-one was giving USA a chance but they showed extreme grit and determination to fight back and level the game before Chris Melling and Nick Van Den Berg sealed the title for Europe. A win that earns Melling the MVP award of 2012.

Dennis Hatch was given the role of starting the comeback for USA against Nick Ekonomopoulos. A break and run was the start Hatch was looking for. Ekonomopoulos would come up dry on his first break of the night, that was followed by Hatch potting the two from a snookered position before the Greek left to five to give Hatch a 2-0 lead.

Hatch almost relinquished his break when he came up dry and Ekonomopoulos potted the two following a safety battle. But the Greek would leave the four in the jaws of the pocket and Hatch had his third rack on the board. Ekonomopoulos recovered from an illegal break as Hatch missed the five to make it 3-1. It should have been 3-2 even though Hatch shot a superb bank on the three. But Ekonomopoulos came to the table courtesy of Hatch missing the four and the Greek cleared up, only to scratch whilst potting the nine ball to put Hatch on the hill.

Ekonomopoulos recovered with a break and run before Hatch missed the five ball in rack seven to allow the Greek to pull another leg back. But the comeback was prevented in topsy-turvy fashion; Ekonomopoulos initially missed the three ball. Hatch would bank it but then miss the four ball before leaving it open after a safety battle. Ekonomopoulos returned to the table but ended up missing the seven ball to give Hatch the 5-3 victory the first point USA needed.

USA's spine, Johnny Archer was given the baton against Neils Feijen. Just like throughout the week, Archer was businesslike and began the match with a break and run. Archer would then refuse an overran push out from Feijen and it would prove to be the right decision as the Dutchman fouled and Archer took a 2-0 lead.

Despite breaking dry in the third rack, The Scorpion came back to the table and potted the one via a length bank before banking the two and extending his lead to 3-0. A three-nine combination was enough to see Feijen post a rack on the board but the luck was shining in USA's favour as Archer made it 4-1 courtesy of a four-nine carom from a snooker position. A scratch on the one ball from Feijen proved fatal as Archer ran out a 5-1 winner and closed the gap to just one point.

In a rematch from last night, Shane Van Boening was the next to hold the baton as he sought revenge form his whitewash defeat to Darren Appleton last night. The Englishman left the one in the jaws from a bank shot to surrender the first rack before a break and run made it 2-0.

That was followed by a scratch off the break from Appleton and Van Boening was edging closer to a whitewash of his own. But Van Boening came up dry in the fourth rack, allowing Appleton to post a rack on the board. Appleton then repaid the compliment with a dry break of his own. But Van Boening would miss the three before he was given the rack after Appleton scratched. The win was completed when Van Boening potted a three-nine combination from another snookered position. This tied the Mosconi Cup at 9-9 and left it as a best of three.

In another rematch, Melling returned to the table to once again face Brandon Shuff, who he beat 5-2 last night. It would end up being a touch of deja vu as Melling steadied the European ship and put them onto the hill. However, a break and run from Shuff did give him the opening rack of the night.

That was followed by two more break and runs to make it 2-1 to Shuff. But then catastrophe hit for the debutante and two fatal scratches gave Melling the lead. A three-seven carom put Melling on his way to winning the sixth rack before potting the six ball in style from a snooker in rack seven to win the match 5-2.

Van Den Berg was given the opportunity to win the Mosconi Cup for Europe against the very shaky Mike Dechaine. Both players were understandably nervous and the Dutchman missed the five ball before Dechaine missed the eight to give Van Den Berg the opening rack.

Dechaine then missed the six in the second rack to make it 2-0. There was another topsy-turvy affair in the third rack; Van Den Berg began it with a dry break. Dechaine then left the five ball open from a snooker position before Van Den Berg missed a banked six. But just in case you thought Dechaine would post his first rack of the night, nerves bit him again as he scratched on the eight ball and faced a tough task coming from 3-0 behind.

It looked like it would get worse for Dechaine when he scratched from the break in the fourth rack. Van den Berg would then miss the five-nine combination before potting the five into the side pocket from the top cushion. But the Dutchman would then miss the seven ball and Dechaine gleefully took his first rack of the night.

A desperate attempt at a one-nine combination from Van Den Berg allowed Dechaine to pull another rack back. But a missed two-nine combination repaid the compliment and the Dutchman was now 4-2 ahead. The seventh rack was full of nerves and Van Den Berg would begin by missing a jump shot on the one. Dechaine then jawed the three ball before placing the final nail in USA's coffin by missing the five ball. Giving Van Den Berg a 5-2 victory and Team Europe an 11-9 win to claim the 2012 Mosconi Cup.

Europe Dominate Day Three

Team Europe go into the final day of the 2012 Mosconi Cup needing two points to make it a hat-trick of titles. This comes courtesy of a fantastic third day of action for Europe, winning the session 4-1 to take a 9-6 lead over USA.

The night began with some extremely tight contests, the first of which saw Nick Ekonomopoulos and Nick Van Den Berg take on Mike Dechaine and Brandon Shuff. USA won the lag but could only push out on the opening break. Europe refused it and it was the right decision as Shuff left the two ball open, allowing Europe to claim that all important first rack.

After a dry break from Ekonomopoulos, Dechaine would miss an easy three before Shuff left the same ball after an attempted jump shot pot. Europe again took the rack to double their lead. But USA fought back with a break and run in the third rack, including a banked two ball from Dechaine, before Van Den Berg missed a bank of the three to allow USA to level it the score.

Another break and run would give the Americans the lead but a great pot on the one from Ekonomopoulos after Shuff had played safe, tied the game up at 3-3. Van Den Berg left the one open to put USA on the hill but a deciding rack would be needed after the Dutchman almost secured a golden break if it wasn't for a scratch. Dechaine then missed the six after some great potting to allow Europe to level once again. Dechaine then went onto miss the four in the final rack to give Europe the opening match of the night.

The second match of the night also went to a deciding rack but only Van Den Berg would know how he didn't close it out against Johnny Archer. After a missed pot, the Dutchman instantly broke the serve only to suffer an illegal break followed by a foul on the three in the second rack.

The break continued to hinder as Archer came up dry on the third. Van Den Berg added to his amazing jump shot yesterday with a cool four-eight-seven combination followed by a four-eight combination. The Dutchman would the miss then miss the one ball to allow Archer to once again break the serve.

There was a great safety battle in the fifth rack until Archer left the five ball open to make it five racks all against the serve. Van Den Berg finally held his serve after Archer missed the two ball to take a crucial 4-2 lead. But Archer wasn't done and after Van Den Berg scratched on the six, he too was able to hold serve for the first time in the match. A dry break from the Dutchman left Archer forcing a deciding leg before The Scorpion completed the comeback after Van Den Berg scratched the three ball. Levelling the overall score up at 6-6.

The final doubles match of the 2012 Mosconi Cup featured Ekonomopoulos and Neils Feijen against Dennis Hatch and Dechaine in another match that went the distance. A break and run from Europe was instantly cancelled out when Feijen fouled in the second rack after being snookered.

Dechaine was as shaky as in the opening match of the night and would miss the six ball whilst using the rest to gift the lead back to Europe. Hatch then missed the four ball to give Europe a two rack advantage and leaving USA in trouble. They were handed a lifeline when Ekonomopoulos scratched off a jump shot on the two.

But Hatch would miss the two ball in the sixth rack to allow Europe to regain their two rack advantage. Ekonomopoulos broke dry in the seventh and Feijen then scratched on the one ball from another snookered position to make it 4-3. A break and run from USA set up the deciding rack but they wouldn't make it back to the table as Europe clinched the match with a break and run of their own.

The third match of the night was the point where Europe took a two point lead in the Mosconi Cup for the first time this year. Chris Melling came up against Shuff and a dry break from the American instantly gave Melling the lead. But Melling missed the five in the second rack to allow Shuff to level the score before then making it 2-1 after Melling fouled on the four when Shuff had originally missed it yet gained a snooker from it.

Shuff missed the three ball in the fourth rack to allow a tied game before once again coming up dry. He then left the one ball open, giving Melling the rack in which the Englishman potted the seven and eight ball in opposite pockets within the same shot. The debutante missed a tough two ball in the sixth rack to put Melling on the hill before Melling found an unbelievable pot on the one ball from a snookered position to take the match 5-2.

On paper, the final match of the night between Darren Appleton and Shane Van Boening looked like it would bring another deciding rack and even a much needed point potentially for USA. But it didn't turn out that way as Appleton blew Van Boening away in the second whitewash of this year's competition.

Appleton was flawless on his break. He broke and run in the opening rack before Van Boening missed the seven in the second. Appleton played a carom off the seven and into the nine to make it 2-0. A second break and run added the third rack before an illegal break from Van Boening followed a missed two from a jump shot placed the Englishman on the hill. A third break and run from Appleton secured the match and put Europe in a fantastic position for tomorrow's final action.