PDC World Darts Championship 2017: Thursday Results, Scores and Latest Schedule

Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Peter Wright all won on Thursday to reach the last eight of the PDC World Darts Championship 2017 at London's Alexandra Palace.

Taylor beat old rival Kim Huybrechts, while Wright saw off Ian White. It was left to MVG to end the night with a win over a resilient Darren Webster that was tougher than the 4-1 scoreline suggested.

Earlier, James Wade twice came back from two sets down to beat Michael Smith and book his place in the last eight.

Wade made it through along with Dave Chisnall and Daryl Gurney. The former beat Jelle Klaasen, while Gurney outlasted Mark Webster in a tense encounter.

Here are the results from Thursday's matches in the afternoon session:

Player	Score	Player
Mark Webster (25)	3-4	Daryl Gurney (24)
Dave Chisnall (7)	4-2	Jelle Klaasen (10)
James Wade (6)	4-3	Michael Smith (11)
Peter Wright (3)	4-1	Ian White (14)
Phil Taylor (4)	4-2	Kim Huybrechts (13)
Michael van Gerwen (1)	4-1	Darren Webster

Here's the schedule for the quarter-finals, with some fantastic matches in store, per PDC Darts:

Evening Recap

Wright raced into a three-set lead with some stunning tungsten. A whitewash seemed inevitable for Snakebite, but White battled back to take a set of his own after checking out on 81.

Diamond had applied some pressure, but Wright was ultimately too strong. He wrapped things up in style after taking out 25 then hitting tops.

Snakebite had produced some outstanding scoring at the oche, according to Live Darts:

Wright admitted scoring in the triple digits is a must against this level of competition:

Next up, it was Taylor and Huybrechts' turn to renew hostilities. It was the latter who looked like he was making a point early on when he raced into a two-leg lead in the opening set.

His night began with this distinctive maximum, relayed by Sky Sports Darts:

However, Taylor roared back to win the set 3-2. He then doubled his advantage in no time at all, thanks to a lofty scoring average:

Taylor's average had risen above 107 by the time he clinched a third set in a row. Throwing to stay in the tournament, Huybrechts took out 104 to force a decider in the fourth, before capitalising on Taylor missing a pair of match darts.

PDC Darts detailed how Huybrechts sealed his first set win:

A brilliant 109 checkout helped Huybrechts on his way to claiming a second set in a row. The pressure was now on Taylor to deliver.

Fortunately, it's something the Power has done consistently throughout his career. Taylor hit tops to win a second leg in the sixth set.

The Power then held his nerve after a Huybrechts break to see out the set and keep his bid for a 17th World Championship alive. 

Those hopes will likely be determined by the form of the world No. 1. MVG actually looked nervy early on against Webster, but you can't miss chances against Mighty Mike.

Unfortunately for Webster, he did just that when he missed two set darts to let Van Gerwen take out double one and win the opener. MVG made it two sets in a row after landing a 60 checkout.

Van Gerwen was already looking at his ominous and relentless best. The feeling was strengthened by his performance at the start of the third leg:

Another double eight gave Mighty Mike a three-set lead after Webster had thrown astray of bull for another missed opportunity. Van Gerwen was even better at the start of the fourth:

Surprisingly, it was Webster who claimed the set after forcing a decider. It was as close as he got, though, despite a two-leg lead at the start of the fifth.

Van Gerwen bounced back with a double 10 to even things at two each. It was the platform for the sport's premier player to finally put this match to bed.

Afterwards, Mighty Mike suggested his task is tougher than the rest because of the way opponents raise their games for him:

Afternoon Recap

Gurney, conqueror of Robert Thornton in the second round, set about trying to see off a game against Webster. It wasn't easy, though, not with the score at just 3-2 in Gurney's favour after five sets.

Webster just wouldn't go away and hit a double 12 to make it one leg apiece in the sixth, but a checkout of 82 swung control back toward Gurney, who was now one leg away from reaching the last eight.

It was a chance he didn't take after missing three match darts to let Webster back in. The latter hit a 76 checkout to keep the set and the match alive.

Sky Sports Darts showed one of Gurney's misses at tops:

More errant throwing from Gurney let Webster take down double 16 to claim the set and even the score at 3-3. Incredibly, Gurney had spurned five match darts.

Gurney needed to rebound and did so in style when he took out a maximum with the score tied at 1-1 in the seventh set. However, Gurney wilted at the doubles again, when he missed three throws at double eight.

Inexplicably, Webster let him off the hook when he couldn't take out double 10. Two more darts went astray of double eight before Gurney finally hit it to move 2-1 ahead.

Throwing for the match, Gurney needed to hit tops. He duly took it out in one throw to finally book his passage to the next round.

In the process, Gurney made history at the tournament, according to 3 Dart Analyst:

He also made it through despite some mediocre form on doubles, per Live Darts:

Then it was Chisnall's turn to see if he could slow prolific Dutchman Klaasen. Hitting double 18 let Chizzy draw level at one leg each in the first set.

Chisnall then took out double four to move 2-1 in front. Staying sharp on the doubles, Chizzy wrapped up the opening set by hitting double five.

Things didn't go as smoothly in the second set. Not when Klaasen hit double 11 to push things to a decider. Chisnall was still too strong, though, and closed out the second at 3-2 for a commanding overall lead.

The third set sprang to life with the score at 1-1. Klaasen hit a pair of 180s before checking out on 78 to move ahead. Things got even better for Klaasen when his opponent took down 140 to win the third and close the gap.

Just when things appeared to be going Klaasen's way, Chisnall roared back with a sensational break to prompt a whitewash in the fourth set.

Chisnall was now back in control and took out double 10 to put him on the brink of victory. But a fourth maximum from Klaasen, followed by a 68 checkout, brought the Dutchman back level.

Klaasen then found tops to move to within a set. However, he was errant at doubles in the sixth. Chisnall punished him with a crucial break of throw to help settle another dramatic match.

Chisnall made it to his first last-eight appearance, thanks largely to an impressive scoring average, per PDC Darts and 3 Dart Analyst:

The afternoon session closed out when Wade found himself stunned by Smith. Bully Boy's prolific form at the oche during a 3-0 first-set win was detailed by 3 Dart Analyst:

Smith was soon two sets in front, as Wade appeared rattled. It was small wonder, considering how well Smith was scoring, per Live Darts:

Wade needed a revival and started one with a 180, followed by a 96 checkout to move 2-1 in front in the third set. But the Machine couldn't take out another maximum when throwing for the set. He eventually took down tops to get a set on board.

Trailing 2-1 in the fourth, Wade missed tops to draw level. He then wasted two throws for double five to let a nervy Smith off the hook. Bully Boy took out double 15 to win his third set.

Smith had won a third set, but he was starting to look erratic at the oche. Many of his throws were rushed, giving Wade opportunities to stay in the match.

The Machine didn't reject his chances, checking out on 64 to make it 3-2 overall. Wade landed tops to complete the key checkout.

A break was ensured when Wade took out double 10 to move in front in the sixth. He found bull to complete a shutout and even things at three sets apiece.

Another double 10 put Wade in front in the decider. He eventually completed his remarkable comeback and expressed his relief at making it through:

Wade will know he needs to start faster in the quarter-finals. Every player already through will be acutely aware the level of talent is rising as the tournament reaches the business end.