By WILL PICKWORTH and KIERAN GILL AT ALEXANDRA PALACE
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Follow Mail Sport’s live blog for the latest scores and updates from the World Darts Championship quarter-final games as Chris Dobey takes on Gerwyn Price and Michael van Gerwen faces Callan Rydz at Alexandra Palace.
Dobey* 0-2 (2-1) Price
Dobey misses two attempt at double 14 to win the game, but he’s well clear of Price.
The Welshman can’t put enough pressure on and Dobey makes no mistake this time.
The first three games of this set have all gone with the throw.
Dobey 0-2 (1-1) Price*
Price is a man on a mission today.
He had 40 to check out but missed double 20 then double 10, before taking out double five.
Good composure from the Welshman to level the third set.
Dobey* 0-2 (1-0) Price
Dobey has experience from this tournament fighting back in games and he will need to call on all of that mental strength again here.
Price is playing brilliantly though to leave Dobey needing to check out 80.
And he does so on the second attempt. A cracker from Chris Dobey.
Price on fire
Price has been in this position before though, controlling a match until he was pegged back.
He will be desperate to avoid a similar situation, especially given he is averaging 99.89 as supposed to Dobey’s 93.10
Dobey* 0-2 (1-3) Price – PRICE TAKES THE SECOND SET
Dobey is just not scoring heavily enough here. There have been seven 140+ scores for Price and just one for Dobey.
Prices makes his way onto a finish and could break Dobey and win the set.
But Price misses a dart at the bull, although he will have another chance… 38 to get.
He splits, and hits double 12.
A huge ‘BOOYAH’ from the Welshman. He’s in total control here!
Dobey 0-1 (1-2) Price*
Price becoming a little bit sloppy here. He’s missed seven darts at double in a row.
However, he does get the job done and takes a 2-1 lead in the second set.
Look at the focus in those eyes!
Dobey* 0-1 (1-1) Price
A big moment in the game?
Price misses two shots at double to break Dobey’s throw.
He then hits a single five instead of double and misses a fourth attempt to win. Will he be made to rue those opportunities?
Yes, he will. Dobey takes out double 12 to level this set.
Dobey 0-1 (0-1) Price*
Ooh, Price hits 60 first up – that break came at a bad time for him.
He recovers well with 140 in his next visit, before hitting a 180.
Dobey puts the pressure on, but Price checks out double tops on the second attempt.
Price takes the first set
A blistering set of darts and look at what it means to him!
Dobey* 0-1 (2-3) Price – FIRST SET TO PRICE
Four dominant holds of throw, but is Price stealing a march here?
He hits a 180 first up and now he’s in crusie control. 82 to check out.
Dobey keeps the pressure on, but the first big moment of the match is here.
Bull, double 16 and Price takes a 1-0 lead.
A brilliant leg of darts and boy does Price look up for this. A huge celebration and he’s in the mood.
The perfect start as Dobey heads off stage looking frustrated with himself.
Dobey 0-0 (2-2) Price*
A first roar of emotion from Price as he levels the game up again.
Decent from both on the doubles so far and we’re all set for a final leg to settle this first set.
Dobey* 0-0 (2-1) Price
Both players are looking good here.
Dobey checks out 16 to ensure the first set continues to go with the throw.
Impressive stuff, as he looks to finally reach a semi-final at this tournament.
Dobey 0-0 (1-1) Price*
Wow, stunning from Price.
He checks out 128 to level things straight back up, with Dobey nowhere near a finish.
A good response from the Welshman and the atmosphere is building up at Ally Pally.
Dobey* 0-0 (1-0) Price
Dobey starts with a 180 to put himself in control in this first leg.
It’s a little bit scrappy from Price and Dobey punishes him by checking at 80.
A good start from the Englishman.
A reminder that it is first to five sets today.
Walk-ons are here
Both players are out and Alexandra Palace is bouncing.
Chris Dobey is lapping this up and ooks really focused as he comes out to ‘Let’s get ready to rumble’.
Meanwhile, Price comes out to his classic Ice Ice Baby, although he’s copping a few boos from the crowd.
What a game we have in store.
Dobey will get us underway by throwing first.
Price and Dobey excited by the challenge
They’ve just been speaking to Sky Sports ahead of things getting underway and here’s what they had to say.
Last year (the quarter-final) was a disaster, but it’s a new year and a new beginning so hopefully I can get over the line. I’ve been practicing last night and (double 16) seems to be going, and as long as it goes on the day.
It’s (playing against Price) good. I remember playing him in one of my first semi-finals on TV and I probably should’ve won that game. He’ll hopefully bring the best out of me and I’m looking forward to it.
You’re probably seeing 50 per cent of me. Half the game I’m playing great, then I’m dropping off. There are no mind games here, everytime I’ve played him, he’s played really well.
How did they get here?
It’s not been easy for both Gerwyn Price and Chris Dobey so far at Alexandra Palace, but what have their journeys been to the quarter-final stage?
2nd round – 3-0 vs Keane Barry
3rd round – 4-3 vs Joe Cullen
4th round – 4-2 vs Jonny Clayton
2nd round – 3-1 vs Alexander Merkx
3rd round – 4-2 vs Josh Rock
4th round – 4-3 vs Kevin Doets
Humphries’ pick for the title
It was a huge shock on Sunday night when reigning world champion and world No 1 Luke Humphries was beaten 4-1 by Peter Wright.
It must be acknowledged that Wright was on fire, averaging more than 100 and hitting 70 per cent of his doubles, but it still left punters hugely suprised given Humphries’ brilliant year.
The 29-year-old may not be in contention at Alexandra Palace any longer, but he still revealed who he would like to lift the trophy.
Read the full story below…
The calm before the storm
An eventful year
Let’s see what 2025 brings…
Celeb spotting at Ally Pally
We saw Tottenham stars Brennan Johnson and James Maddison, Man City’s Kyle Walker and Southampton and England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale in attendance on Monday night.
I expect there will be plenty more big names there today so we’ll keep an eye out across the crowd for you.
New Year, same Ally Pally
Some great fancy dress outfits have been spotted already on New Year’s Day at Alexandra Palace.
That’s one way to deal with a New Year’s hangover…
Is the door open for van Gerwen?
After Dobey vs Price, Michael van Gerwen is set to take on Callan Rydz, who has been one of the stories of the tournament.
It’s fair to say it’s been a tough year for van Gerwen, but the Dutchman has shown signs of being back to his best over the past few weeks.
And with the likes of Luke Humphries and Gary Anderson out, has the door been left open for the 35-year-old to win his fourth World Championship – and first since 2019?
He wrapped up a 4-2 victory against Jeffrey de Graaf in the last-16 stage on Monday.
Price’s Palace Protest
Who can forget this incredible moment from the quarter-finals two years ago?
We mentioned about Price being somewhat of a pantomine villain at Alexandra Palace, but at the 2023 tournament it seemingly got too much for the Welshman.
At 3-1 down to Gabriel Clemens, he came out for the fifth set with ear defenders on in a remarkable sign of defiance – or maybe protest – towards a hostile crowd.
Unfortunately, the unprecedented move didn’t work as Price was unable to prevent being knocked out in a shock result by the German.
Chris Dobey vs Gerwyn Price
First up, we’ve got Chris Dobey vs Gerwyn Price which sees the world No 15 up against the world No 10.
Price has always been somewhat of a pantomine villain at Alexandra Palace, although we haven’t seen the Welshman receive too much stick this year.
It promises to be a fantastic encounter against Dobey, who always finds a way to compete in these big TV tournaments, although he’s never gone past this stage before.
Today’s agenda
We really do have a fantastic day in store today in north London, with four mouthwatering match-ups on the oche.
Below is the full schedule with expected start times for each match.
12:40PM – Chris Dobey vs Gerwyn Price
2.10PM – Michael van Gerwen vs Callan Rydz
7:10PM – Peter Wright vs Stephen Bunting
8:40PM – Luke Littler vs Nathan Aspinall
Good Afternoon
And welcome to Mail Sport’s live coverage of the World Darts Championship quarter-finals.
We’ve got a blockbuster day of action in store, so be sure to stick with us throughout the afternoon and evening for all the updates from Alexandra Palace.
Key Updates
Dobey* 0-2 (1-3) Price – PRICE TAKES THE SECOND SET
Dobey* 0-1 (2-3) Price – FIRST SET TO PRICE
Price and Dobey excited by the challenge
How did they get here?
Price’s Palace Protest
Chris Dobey vs Gerwyn Price
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Chris Dobey vs Gerwyn Price – World Darts Championship: Live score and set-by-set updates as the first two quarter-finals get underway