Scintillating Smith sets up Price showdown after edging past Clayton in PDC World Darts Championship classic

Michael Smith has set up a Quarter-Final showdown with Gerwyn Price at the 2021/22 PDC World Darts Championship after one of the best games seen on the Alexandra Palace stage against Jonny Clayton.

Smith came from two sets down to edge out Clayton 4-3 in a game showcasing two players at full flow on the biggest stage of them all with 'Bully Boy' gaining the spoils against one of the favourites for the title.

A game that will go down in World Darts Championship folklore as a true classic.

To start the match, despite a 180 from Smith, Clayton held on double nine after the former had missed bull to break. Smith pinned double 20 with Clayton sat waiting for a finish.

Smith couldn’t get a shot at 170 and Clayton pinned double 20 for a 13-darter. Clayton missed a dart for the set and Smith came back for the double 16 with ‘The Ferret’ having to serve it out.

Clayton went six darts into a nine dart finish but returned for double eight for the set. Smith missed 70 for the opening leg but Clayton’s doubling deserted him on double six which allowed Smith back for the lead.

The Welshman fired back with a 180 and held throw to make it 1-1. It was another maximum start for ‘The Ferret’ as he looked to break to go one away from a 2-0 lead.

He left 50 which he pinned on double 16 as he was averaging 111 in leading the tie. He left 46 with a 135 leave from 181 with Smith only able to pressure.

He pinned double 16 again to claim it. On return, Smith broke with a 41 checkout and began his throw with a 180 as he romped to a 2-0 lead and one away from a set of his own.

Clayton held to make it 2-1 but Smith went five darts into a nine-dart finish giving him the advantage on his throw. He was sat on 58 for the set with Clayton only down to 160.

Clayton returned for the massive finish but couldn’t get a shot and so Smith was back for double 10. Smith held to go 2-1 up in the next set as he went one away from tying it up.

But with Smith sat on double 10, Clayton hit double 16 last dart in hand. He had the throw though and Smith hit double 18 to make it 2-2 in sets.

Clayton missed two shots at double 18 to hold and Smith returned for 75 on double 12 to break and go 1-0 up. The former missed 81 on the bull to break back and Smith pinned double nine for a 61 checkout to go one away from a 3-2 sets lead.

Clayton again missed the bull for a 121 checkout but returned with Smith not able to take out 161 and the former held throw to make it 2-1.

Smith set up 41 from 143 as he did claim a 3-2 sets lead. Clayton got himself going with a 161 checkout on the bull to break and go 1-0 up as he looked for parity again.

Back came Smith for a 121 checkout on the bull to make it 1-1 and break straight back. Another ton plus came for Clayton with Smith missing the bull for a 170 and ‘The Ferret’ replying with a 105 to make it 2-1 and one away from 3-3.

Smith missed 92 for a break back and Clayton pinned double 12 to secure a final set. Clayton led again with a hold to make it 1-0.

Clayton had more drama though missing five darts to go one away from the win and Smith levelled up. But a timely 112 checkout saw Smith break and go one away from the win. Clayton replied with an incredible 120 checkout to send it to a tie break.

Smith wouldn’t give up with an eighth 180 only for Clayton to pin 62 to go 3-2 up and one away. A 20th 180 in the match was pinned by Smith as he went down to 72.

‘Bully Boy’ pinned it on double 20 to make it 3-3. Clayton got in again on the 180 act before hitting 165 to leave double eight after nine darts with double two pinned for a 4-3 lead.

Clayton hit a 13th 180 but he couldn’t clean up 121 and Smith levelled up again with a 72 checkout on double six. A 24th 180 saw Smith continue the darting magic and he pinned 65 to break and go one away.

He was throwing for the match. Clayton began though with 180 but Smith pinned 165 to leave 160 to be first to a finish. ‘The Ferret’ miscounted to not leave a finish and Smith had six darts.

Smith left 68 to return for the match and Clayton only hit 60 but that didn’t matter as ‘Bully Boy’ hit double 10 to move through.