Clayton through to European Championship Quarter-Finals after defeating De Sousa

Jonny Clayton is through to the Quarter-Finals of the European Championship after defeating Jose de Sousa in a tight contest which saw missed doubles for 'The Special One' being the difference.

Clayton won 10-6 with a 98.5 average, six 180's and pivotal of all was 58% on the doubles which was compared to only 31% (6/19) from the nine-dart hero from the opening session.

De Sousa led the tie in the early going with a 180 followed by an 81 checkout seeing the Portuguese ace going 2-1 up on Clayton.

But Clayton gained a break of throw following that though to make it 3-2 at the break pinning a 68 checkout with De Sousa waiting on 52 to hold.

He returned from the break and De Sousa pinned a 121 to go 4-3 behind and keep it interesting but Clayton pounced on costly doubles to make it 6-3 and break once more.

De Sousa broke back to go into the next interval though to leave it finely poised at 6-4 going into the latter half of the match.

He soon trailed 6-5 with a brilliant 137 checkout after Clayton had hit a 180 but the latter held his throw to go 7-5 up and more missed darts at doubles saw Clayton lead 9-6 and go on the brink.

This was converted with De Sousa missing chances to stay in after missing a 140 checkout on double 10 and he had trouble finishing that from there.

Clayton was left on double 20 and when De Sousa missed, he didn't give him a second opportunity and hit it first time to move through.

William O'Connor (95.26) 10-3 (83.63) Jamie Hughes
Devon Petersen (101.37) 10-8 (90.82) Martijn Kleermaker
Jose De Sousa v Jonny Clayton
Nathan Aspinall v James Wade