Cullen survives fightback to edge past Clayton in World Championship epic

Sunday, 27 December 2020 at 20:24

Joe Cullen is successfully through to the Last 16 of the PDC World Darts Championship for the first time after coming through an absolute epic.

Cullen was 2-0 up and surrendered his lead in a match which went the full distance finishing 4-3 to 'The Rockstar' with a stunning 100 checkout using two double 20's to claim victory. He will now face Michael van Gerwen or Ricky Evans who face off later this evening.

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Cullen produced brilliant timing to claim the opening set 3-2 with a 180 and a 103 checkout in the deciding leg.

He claimed a break on a 25 checkout to begin the second set and went two up but despite hitting a 140 to force the pressure, Clayton held throw to prolong the second set. This proved to be the case with Cullen smashing in a 72 checkout to go two up.

Cullen messed around on the doubles and Clayton punished with a 106 checkout to claim an unlikely break. A 180 saw Cullen attempt to hit straight back but this was followed up by a slack 43 visit and Clayton pinned a 58 checkout to double his lead and go towards claiming a set back.

A 114 saw him break again and claim a set back as his momentum saw him back into the game. Clayton missed 118 to hold and Cullen was back with a 60 checkout to break and stop the rot.

Clayton put the pressure on the Cullen throw and when the latter missed bull for a 170, Clayton broke back with an 86 checkout.

A 108 checkout was missed by Clayton and Cullen was back with a 110 checkout to break back again and go one away from a 3-1 sets lead.

Clayton was back again with back-to-back 180’s and an 82 checkout to make it another break of throw and five straight.

Cullen missed two for a 68 checkout and a 3-1 lead and Clayton smashed in double four last dart in hand and the latter tied it up making it 2-2.

A clutch 124 checkout from Cullen punished Clayton to begin the next set. More missed darts at double came for Clayton in a 104 but he was back to hold with Cullen missed the chance at a 78 checkout.

Cullen missed double 16 for a 105 but Clayton missed the bull for a 132 checkout. The latter though pounced with a 43 checkout to break and make it 2-1 in legs as he headed towards the lead.

He began his throw with a 180 and pinned double eight despite late pressure from Cullen with a 180 as he made it 3-2 in sets.

Cullen had the chance of a 10 darter after a 180 but came back with a gamble splitting to hit double four and break the throw.

Clayton missed 80 for a break and Cullen pinned double five to double his lead as he looked to send it all the way.

It was the fifth 180 for Cullen as he continued to build a head of steam and double 16 saw him sweep it and send it all the way.

A 120 checkout though saw Clayton back in front and back with a break in the decider. He doubled it with a 106 checkout as he went one away.

Clayton had the darts to win but Cullen claimed it to claw a leg back. A 180 to leave 47 saw Cullen force a deciding leg.

It was a shocking leg scoring wise for both players to start but a 134 from Cullen and 180 from Clayton ignited it. A 100 checkout from Cullen with two double 20's saw him over the line.

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2021 PDC World Darts Championship schedule

Sunday December 27

Evening Session (18:00 GMT)

Joe Cullen (92.34) 4-3 (91.41) Jonny Clayton (3-2, 3-1, 0-3, 2-3, 1-3, 3-0, 3-2)

Peter Wright v Gabriel Clemens

Michael van Gerwen v Ricky Evans

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𝙒𝙃𝘼𝙏 𝘼 𝙒𝘼𝙔 𝙏𝙊 𝙒𝙄𝙉 𝙄𝙏 🤯 Joe Cullen wins an Ally Pally classic, hitting two double-tops for a 100 finish to snatch a deciding leg victory with Clayton left on 40! What a match that was 👏