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Chris Dobey produced an inspired performance to dump out Michael van Gerwen, while Peter Wright, Joe Cullen and Luke Humphries all won; Watch the double-in, double-out World Grand Prix Darts at the Morningside Arena in Leicester up until October 8 – live on Sky Sports

Chris Dobey dumped out six-time defending champion Michael van Gerwen after the Dutchman came close to nailing two nine-darters on a magical night of arrows at the World Grand Prix.

Just 24 hours after watching his beloved Newcastle tonk PSG 4-1 in the Champions League, Dobey was inspired by the Magpies to defeat hot-favourite Van Gerwen in a rip-roaring clash at the Morningside Arena in Leicester on Thursday.

Peter Wright, the 2018 runner-up, came out on top against Ryan Searle, while Joe Cullen defeated European Champion Ross Smith.

Elsewhere, sixth seed Luke Humphries swept past debutant Luke Woodhouse.

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MVG came so close to nailing two nine-dart finishes in the same match against Dobey

Day Four of the unique double-start event saw the second round action conclude in Leicester, and Dobey stole the show with a remarkable comeback victory over Van Gerwen.

The Dutchman was imperious in the opening exchanges, missing the bull for a double-start nine-darter twice in the space of three legs, as he aimed to land the first perfect leg at this event since 2014.

Dobey defied Van Gerwen’s blistering barrage to draw first blood, only for ‘Mighty Mike’ to reel off back-to-back sets and move to the cusp of a place in the last eight.

Despite missing three set darts for a 2-1 lead, the Masters champion regained his poise to force a deciding set, surviving a match dart at bull from Van Gerwen in a dramatic conclusion to set four.

Dobey then seized control of the deciding set with consecutive legs of 14 and 15 darts, before conjuring up a spectacular 156 checkout to complete one of the finest wins of his career.

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Dobey dumped out MVG with this magical 156 checkout

“What a game! We [Newcastle] are on a good run of form, and so am I,” smiled Dobey, who crashed in six 180s and pinned 61 per cent of his darts at a starting double.

“I’ve owed Michael a couple from the last few times I’ve played him here, but after I beat him for the first time [last year], I’m not afraid of him anymore.

“I have played Michael so many times now, and it’s something special playing him on the big stage. I loved every minute of that, and I’m so glad to get another win.”

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Dobey said he took inspiration from Newcastle’s win over PSG using it to overcome reigning champion Van Gerwen

Dobey – through to his third World Grand Prix quarter-final in four attempts – now meets Cullen, who stormed to a 3-1 success against Smith in a high-quality encounter.

Earlier in the night, ‘Snakebite’ Wright produced a trio of sensational ton-plus checkouts to topple Searle and avenge his defeat to the Somerset star at the same stage of July’s World Matchplay.

Wright’s reward is a quarter-final showdown against sixth seed Humphries, who recorded a straight-sets victory over Woodhouse in the evening’s opener.

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Wright hit three impressive finishes against Searle, including 167, 158 and 121 checkouts

Friday at the World Grand Prix

World No 1 Michael Smith will be aiming to continue his breakthrough run in Leicester

World No 1 Michael Smith cruised to a 3-0 victory over 2011 runner-up Brendan Dolan to take his place in the quarter-finals where he will hope to continue his breakthrough run in Leicester against surprise-package Andrew Gilding.

UK Open champion Gilding produced a terrific fightback to dump out 2016 finalist Gary Anderson and move through to his maiden World Grand Prix quarter-final.

Martin Schindler became the first German player to progress to the quarter-finals of the World Grand Prix, but he now faces a tough task against 2020 champion Gerwyn Price.

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Wayne Mardle says all eight players left in the competition will feel they have a massive opportunity to win the title

World No 3 Wright tackles Humphries, who is chasing his first major TV title, while Van Gerwen’s conqueror Dobey meets former Masters champion Cullen.

Watch the double in, double out World Grand Prix Darts at the Morningside Arena in Leicester every night up until the final on October 8 – live on Sky Sports. Stream the World Grand Prix and more with NOW for £21 a month for six months