2011 World Grand Prix: Day Five

As the week draws to the end, the World Grand Prix entered the quarter final stage tonight. The night kicked off with Ireland's own Brendan Dolan continuing a dream tournament with a win over Jordan Henderson. The Scot actually took the first set without conceding. But as the partisan crowd got louder, Dolan got better and returned the compliment to equalise in the second set. Henderson failed to deal with the crowd and Dolan managed to win the following three sets all via a deciding leg to make it into the semi-finals with a 4-1 win.

James Wade faced a tenacious test in the shape of Andy Smith. It started off smooth enough for Wade with a 3-1 first set victory but Smith instantly responded with a 3-1 set win of his own. Wade then retook the lead with a whitewash in the third set but again Smith fought back to equalise with another 3-1 victory. Wade then managed to see the job through but only via two deciding legs to finally dismiss the feisty Pie Man.

Phil Taylor continued his dominating tournament with a 4-0 victory over Mark Webster. Taylor whitewashed Webby in the first set before crucially taking the second set in the final fifth leg. With Webster beater, Taylor then went for the jugular and produced a second whitewash in the third set before winning the fourth and final set 3-1 to ease into the semi-finals.

Richie Burnett last won a major title sixteen years ago, he then suffered dartitis and was out of action for a long while. The Welshman has only recently returned and he won his first PTC tournament last week since his comeback. He has followed that up by putting himself into the semi-finals with a win over Mark Hylton. The first two sets were won in the deciding leg with both players taking a set each. Burnett then won the third set 3-1 before whitewashing Hylton in the fourth and winning 3-1 again in the final set to make it into the last four.

2011 World Grand Prix Darts: Day Four

Despite there being the other four last sixteen matches tonight, only one of them was highly anticipated. It was the return of Phil Taylor against Paul Nicholson as their rivalry intensifies. But we were made to wait as it was the penultimate match of the four.

Up first was Mark Webster against Alan Tabern. Webby flew straight out of the traps to whitewash Tabern in the first set. Tabern responded with a 3-1 win in the second set despite Webster checking out 142 in the third leg. The Welshman reciprocated the set score to retake the lead and put himself one set away from victory. He then made quick work of the fourth set, producing a second whitewash to put himself right in the frame to possibly win this tournament.

The second match of the night saw Simon Whitlock take on Mark Hylton. The favourite took the first set 3-1 but both players missed darts at the double in that crucial fourth leg, Whitlock secured double four to give himself the advantage. Hylton then responded by equalising in the second set via a tough deciding leg in which he first looked comfortable before Whitlock came close to sneaking it. With the ball in his court, Hylton then took the third set 3-1 to be on the verge of causing yet another upset in this tournament. Whitlock then began to miss doubles before Hylton took out 92 to win the third set 3-1 to keep himself flying high.

Then it was the turn of the grudge match. The action kicked-off from the walk-ons; Nicholson knelt whilst his name was called and then sat on the stage when Taylor did his walk-on. As a contest, unfortunately it didn't live up to expectation. Nicholson didn't really bring his A-game and although Taylor was a little slow to start in most legs, he managed to win all three sets 3-1 to set a quarter-final date against Mark Webster.

The final match of the night saw Richie Burnett take on Denis Ovens for a place against Hylton in the quarter finals. Ovens took the close fought first set via the deciding leg before Burnett fired back instantly, winning the second set 3-1. Ovens then started to miss his doubles to start, leaving the gap too big to come back and Burnett made it 2-1 with a 3-1 set victory. Ovens then pushed Burnett to a deciding leg in the fourth but the Welshman held his nerve to win the leg and the match.

2011 World Grand Prix Darts: Day Three

Day three of the World Grand Prix signalled the start of the second round. It also became shock night as two former World Champions exited the competition. The first match of the night saw Wes Newton great run of form come to an end against an impressive John Henderson. The ante has risen to three sets to progress and Henderson put himself in a great position by winning the opening two sets by the deciding leg. Newton responded with a whitewash in the third leg and then equalised by winning the fourth set via a deciding leg. Henderson won the final set 3-1 to progress to the quarter finals in his début Grand Prix.

The next big name to take the stage was James Wade who was fought tooth and nail by Vincent Van der Voort. Things were looking ominous for Wade as the Dutchman won the first two sets by the deciding leg. Again Wade responded with a whitewash and he also carried his momentum forward by winning the fourth set 3-1 to equalise. The final set went down to the wire but Wade managed to squeeze through to the quarter finals, 3-2.

The biggest shock came in the penultimate match as Van Barneveld crashed out to The Pieman Andy Smith. This match followed the same script as Smith took the first two sets, winning the first 3-1 and the second without conceding. Barney then responded with a whitewash of his own but Barney again failed to deal with the lengthy match and Smith took the fourth set via the decider to win the match and progress into the quarter finals for the third time in his career.

The final game saw another former World Champion, John Part, lose to Brendan Dolan. Dolan took the opening set by a crucial deciding leg. The pair then exchanged whitewashes, Part to equalise and Dolan to retake the lead 2-1. Dolan then won the match by taking the fourth set 3-1 to dump Part out of the competition.

2011 World Grand Prix Darts: Day Two

The second day of the World Grand Prix had perhaps more drama than the first but there was still only one big shock. The night was all about comebacks. The first match of the night saw Denis 'The Heat' Ovens win his first Grand Prix match since 2003 against Jamie 'Jabba' Caven. Ovens took the first set 3-1 before winning the deciding leg of the second set to progress into the second round.

Mark Hylton came from a set down to produce a comeback victory against Mark Walsh. Special Brew whitewashed Hylton in the first set and the former air steward required a deciding leg to force a final set shoot out. Hylton then repaid the compliment and took the final set 3-0 to win the match.

Alan Tabern progressed through in similar circumstances against Dave Chisnall. Chisnall took the first set 3-1 and Tabern needed a deciding leg in the second set to keep his hopes alive. The final set then also went to a deciding leg which Tabern managed to win to ensure his comeback.

Mark Webster followed suite as his opponent, Andy Hamilton, took the opening set via a deciding leg. Webster also needed a crucial deciding leg in the second set to equalise. Webby then took full control to win the final set 3-0 and make it into the second round.

Richie Burnett became the latest man to comeback from a set down as he produced the upset of the night against Gary Anderson. Anderson whitewashed Burnett in the first set and looked to be full control. Again the second set was won via a deciding leg which Burnett had to win to survive. The Welshman then took the final set 3-1 to dump Anderson out of the competition.

Even the legend that is Phil Taylor had to come from a set down to see of Snakebite Peter Wright. Wright took the first set 3-1 to start a possible shock. But Taylor reciprocated the scoreline in both of the next two sets to seal his place in the last sixteen.

Simon Whitlock manage to edge to tough tie against Terry Jenkins in the match of the night where neither player deserves to lose in the first round. The match yet again went the distance as Whitlock managed to take the third set. The Aussie took the first set 3-1 before Jenkins saved himself via the deciding leg in the second set to keep himself alive. But Whitlock took whitewashed The Bull to progress.

Paul Nicholson managed to see of Ronnie Baxter in straight sets to comfortably progress. Nicholson took the first set without conceding. Baxter fought Nicholson all the way into a decider in the second set but the Geordie Aussie held his nerve to progress.

2011 World Grand Prix Darts: Day One

The dartboard returned to our screens tonight as the 2011 World Grand Prix kicked off in dramatic fashion. Dublin is the host and the Grand Prix shares a special set of rules, it is set play and the first round is first to win two sets (first player to win three legs wins the set). But it also double to start which can take away the throwing first advantage, the advantage now comes if your opponent fails to start with their first three darts.

The night started with Ireland's own Brendan Dolan who had a tough opposition in the shape of Wayne Jones. Dolan last won a match in this tournament in 2004 but was able to change that tonight. He took the first set 3-1 before winning the deciding in the second set to progress into the next round.

Next saw Scotland's John Henderson progress into the second round in his début season in the PDC. His opponent was Justin Pipe and was unlucky in both sets as Henderson managed to win both deciding legs to win the match 2-0.

It was also a first win in this tournament for Vincent Van der Voort. The crowd's favourite was up against tough   opposition, Kevin Painter. The Dutchman stormed out of the traps to take the first set without conceding before Painter took him to a deciding leg in the second set which Van der Voort was able to win.

Wes Newton continued his brilliant season but only just against Colin Lloyd. Lloyd did actually take the first set via the deciding leg but he failed to win another leg afterwards as Newton took the second and third sets 3-0 to win the match 2-1.

The shock of the night saw World Champion Adrian Lewis get knocked out by Darth Maple John Part. Lewis looked in good form after taking the first set without conceding. Jackpot then had chances to win the second set but squandered them, allowing Part to win the deciding leg to take into the deciding set. With momentum on his side, Part then won the third set 3-1 to evict the World Champion from the competition.

James Wade kicked his tournament of with a decent victory over Steve Brown. The heavy favourite took the first set 3-1 before dismantling Brown 3-0 in the second set to ease into the next round.

Raymond Van Barneveld survived a tough match against Mervyn King in a match where neither player deserves to lose in the first round. Barney secured a crucial 100 checkout to steal the first set in the deciding leg. King hit back in the second set with a 116 checkout but that would be the final leg he would win as Barney secured the second set 3-1.

The final match of the night saw Ireland's William O'Connor get overpowered by the Pie Man Andy Smith. Despite winning the first leg, O'Connor lost the first set 3-1. Smith then repeated the punishment in the second set to progress into the second round.

PL Round-Up 2/10/11

Bolton 1-5 Chelsea: Bolton struggled again as Chelsea looked back to their best. The rout began after just two minutes when Sturridge scored against his old club. Lampard doubled the score after fifteen minutes before Sturridge scored his second of the match after twenty-five. Lampard then made it 4-0 two minutes later. Bolton scored a consolation a minute into the second through Boyata before Lampard scored his hat-trick just before the hour. Bolton should have had a second when a Petrov shot was saved off the line by Ivanovic but replays showed the ball was over the line, not that it would have made much difference.

Fulham 6-0 QPR: Fulham took full advantage of QPR's lack of being able to play away from Loftus Road. Again the deadlock was broken after just two minutes, this time through Adam Johnson. Danny Murphy then made it 2-0 from the penalty spot before Johnson made it 3-0 seven minutes before half-time. Johnson completed his hat-trick just before the hour mark. Dempsey made it 5-0 six minutes later before Bobby Zamora rounded it off sixteen minutes from time.

Swansea 2-0 Stoke: Swansea created another surprise with a great result against Stoke. Scott Sinclair put Swansea ahead from the penalty spot after nine minutes. Danny Graham then opened his account for Swansea and the Premiership five minutes from the end to ensure the victory.

Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal: Arsenal's season still fails to get going with yet another set back. Arsenal's defence looked shaky again and Tottenham took control from the outset. It took until the fortieth minute for the deadlock to be broken, Van Der Vaart controlling a deep cross before sliding the ball past Szczesny, but replays looked to show the Dutchman may have controlled it with his arm before scoring. Ramsey equalised for Arsenal six minutes into the second half but the game was won when Kyle Walker caught Szczesny by surprise by shooting from nowhere with seventeen minutes left, the Polish keeper didn't react until it was too late and he could help it into the bottom corner.

PL Round-Up 1/10/11

Everton 0-2 Liverpool: What better way to kick-off a afternoon's worth of football with a Merseyside derby. Much like last week, it was more feisty from the Everton players. it took twenty-three before we saw a red card, Rodwell lunged in on Suarez but did take the ball. Watching it live it did look like a sending off, which is what the referee can only deal with, because the rule states intent and Rodwell's studs were showing and he left the ground. Only on the slow-mo replay could we see that it maybe wasn't deserving of a red card. But things tend to even themselves out and Hibbert should have also been shown red for sliding right through Adam, not even an advantage was played. Liverpool were then awarded a penalty just before half-time when Jagielka came through the back of Suarez, Kuyt stepped up but the penalty was well saved by Howard. The deadlock was finally broken nineteen minutes from the end when Andy Carroll scored for only the second time in a game for Liverpool. A defensive error from Distin allowed Suarez to make it 2-0 eight minutes from time. For me, Everton need to sort out their discipline as they are flying into too many tackles and their fans were disgraceful as they were throwing bottles and all sorts at the Liverpool players.

Man United 2-0 Norwich: United remain unbeaten and top of the league with a hard fought victory over Norwich. The big news saw De Gea drop to bench, possibly for his newsworthy antics, meaning Lindegaard started in goal. Norwich had plenty of chances throughout the match and really should have converted some. But United held on and took the lead through Anderson after sixty-eight minutes via a header. Welbeck then wrapped things up coming off the substitutes bench and linking up with Park to make it 2-0 three minutes form the end.

Wolves 1-2 Newcastle: There was controversy throughout this game which unfortunately wasn't referee Mark Halsey's best nor his linesmen's. Ba continued his fantastic Premiership goalscoring record, heading from a corner after seventeen minutes to give Newcastle the lead. Wolves could have had a chance to equalise when O'Hara was fouled in the box, but Mark Halsey deemed it a free-kick just outside when it was clearly a penalty. Wolves did create many chances of their own so to solely blame the officials would be wrong, Krul produced a man of the match performance but Wolves were just not potent enough. Newcastle made it 2-0 when Gutierrez made a good run past the defence before beating Hennessey seven minutes before half-time. Wolves did pull a goal back two minutes from the end through Steven Fletcher and they should have equalised in injury time when the ball was bundled over the line. But the linesman, wearing a cap, disallowed it claiming that the ball had gone out of play before Jarvis headed it back across goal, but replays look to show the ball didn't go out of play and Wolves were unlucky again as Newcastle remain unbeaten.

Blackburn 0-4 Man City: City cut United's lead down to a single goal with a comprehensive victory over the struggling Blackburn. It did take eleven minutes into the second half before City finally broke the deadlock with Adam Johnson curling a beauty past Robinson. Balotelli then made it 2-0 just three minutes later, rewarding Mancini for picking him ahead of the disobedient Dzeko. To make it worse for Dzeko, Aguero came off in the first half due to a groin injury but Mancini replaced him with Nasri instead of Dzeko and the Frenchman made it 3-0 with seventeen minutes left, his first goal for City. Savic also scored his first Premiership goal three minutes from the end to finish the rout. It could be an interesting race to see who goes first, Carlos Tevez or Steve Kean.

Sunderland 2-2 West Brom: This game was all over before the half hour as West Brom squandered a two goal lead. Defensive mistakes allowed James Morrison to give the visitors the lead after just four minutes before Shane Long capitalised from another mistake just a minute later. Bendtner then made it 2-1 for Sunderland after twenty-four minutes before Ahmed Elmohamady equalised just two minutes later.

Aston Villa 2-0 Wigan: Villa beat Wigan for the first time in the Premiership at Villa Park to maintain their unbeaten run. Agbonlahor continued his good start to the season, scoring his fourth league goal after thirty-six minutes. There was a possibility of a Wigan penalty when Collins nudged Di Santo in the box, but it is questionable whether it was enough to make Di Santo go down and the penalty was correctly not given. Villa wrapped up the win with Darren Bent scoring a tap in two minutes after the hour mark.