Raymond van Barneveld beats Phil Taylor in world QFs

And the winner of that mouthwatering all-Dutch showdown on New Year's Day will then face either two-time defending champion Gary Anderson or Peter Wright in the January 2 final.

The 77th meeting between Barney and the Power wasn't of the highest quality in terms of averages, 180s or consistent finishing but there was no shortage of drama and tension to keep the crowd on their feet throughout.

Barney threw six 180s, finished with an average of 96.31 and hit 33,33% of his doubles against Taylor, who managed seven, 95.65 and 37.21% respectively, so he'll have to improve on those figures to stand a chance of beating the odds-on favourite van Gerwen for a second year running.

It was van Barneveld's 17th victory over Taylor although his fourth in their last 10 meetings since losing an epic semi-final at the 2015 World Championship (Taylor 56 wins overall with four draws) while it's his second triumph in five clashes with the Power at this tournament, having previously beaten him in the famous 2007 final.

Van Barneveld got off to an ideal start on this occasion by taking the opening set 3-1 but Taylor soon responded to level the match.

The 16-time world champion then led 2-0 in the third set before his opponent mounted a superb rally to take the next three legs on the spin including a finish from 76 to go 2-1 up overall.

The 12th seed then turned the screw in a thrilling fourth set when he followed up a stunning 167 checkout with a brilliant finish from 120 to snatch it 3-2 and open up a two-set lead to send his fans wild.

Taylor, seeded four, responded in style by taking the next 3-0 and then took out 81 and 97 on his way to restoring overall parity as he sneaked the sixth set 3-2.

It was van Barneveld's turn to bounce back and despite some wobbles from both players on their finishing he was still able to take it 3-0 after holding his nerves on double one and three either side of a 76 checkout.

The first two legs of the eighth set were shared before Taylor took out 123 to edge ahead but Barney landed double eight. He then started the deciding leg with a sixth 180 before taking out 86 for the match to reach his seventh semi-final at the PDC World Championship.

For Taylor the wait for a 17th world title goes on after suffering just his 12th defeat in his 130th world championship match but questions will be asked about whether he'll be able to come back stronger next year.

Van Barneveld, whose New Year's Day meeting with van Gerwen will see him contest his third consecutive Ally Pally semi-final, told www.pdc.tv: "I'm very proud of what I've done here so far," said

"I didn't feel very comfortable at times but I was expecting more from Phil. I put him under pressure though, especially in the last set.

"I'm going to play the greatest player in the world next when I play Michael and I'm really excited. I can't wait to play him."

Earlier in the evening, van Gerwen booked his place in the last four with a convincing 5-1 victory over Daryl Gurney.

The world number one fired in two 170 finishes in another dominant display and averaged 103.08.

Like Wright, he has averaged over 100 in all four games in reaching the semi-finals. and afterwards said: "I don't have anything to celebrate yet.

"I've come here to do a job and I'm only a step closer. I knew Daryl was the underdog today and sometimes that is hard position to be in. 

"This World Championship is something special. I still get goosebumps on the walk-on and I'm excited and ready for the semi-finals."

Earlier Gary Anderson fended off Dave Chisnall to continue his pursuit of a third world title and will face Peter Wright in the semi-finals.

The Scot won an electric encounter as he finally put his rival to bed on double 10 to wrap up a 5-3 victory.

Chisnall registered a remarkable 21 maximums versus 12 for the Scot, but Anderson's greater consistency proved the difference in a match which saw both miss chances.

Anderson took out 104 to win the first set against the throw, before hitting bull for a 121 checkout and 12-dart leg to start the second.

A maximum at a vital moment enabled Anderson to move take the second set, but Chisnall was scoring well and hit double top to edge the third.

The St Helens man broke straight away in set four before a 130 checkout, the highest of the match, helped him win it 3-0 and level the scores.

Anderson responded with a 124 checkout, his best, as he won the fifth set without dropping a leg but Chisnall was electric in the next, again pulling level at 3-3.

For the first time in the championship, Anderson looked in trouble at 2-0 down in the seventh set, but it was his dart which finally sealed a tense third leg as Chisnall missed his chance to take the set 3-0.

Anderson followed it up with a 12-dart leg and then sealed the set by taking out 66 on double 18, in what was the decisive moment of the quarter-final clash.

"It's the kind of match this brilliant crowd deserved to see," said Anderson, who averaged 106.

"I pinched that seventh set and the rest is history. I'm still here, still fighting and I'm happy with how I've been playing.

"I'm looking forward to playing Peter and I hope it will be just as good as this game was."

Chisnall missed three darts at double to allow Anderson to move 2-0 up in the eighth set, and while fighting back to level at 2-2, a determined Anderson made no mistake with the throw to put an end to a scintillating match.

Next is an all-Scottish semi-final against Wright, who signed off with a brilliant 134 checkout to beat James Wade 5-3 and reach the last four.

Wright averaged 104.79 and hit just less than 50% of doubles, including a match-ending double 16, to shake off his typically dogged opponent.

Wade in fact hit more maximums - 12 to Wright's 10 - in an exciting match which saw him try but ultimately fail to keep tabs on the in-form Scotsman.

After missing two darts for the opening set in which he threw first, Wright found himself behind as Wade took out 61, but he was quickly level by taking the second 3-1.

Wade then took out 144 and 155 in back-to-back legs to win the third set, but again was unable to kick on as Wright hit bullseye for a 130 checkout to seal the fourth.

At last, the fifth set went with throw as Wright won it without dropping a leg, and while Wade fought back from 2-0 down to force a decider in the sixth, Wright's heavier scoring helped him establish a cushion at 4-2.

Showing the tenacity which has been the hallmark of his career, Wade halved the deficit by breaking throw in the seventh set, but a sloppy start to the eighth followed by an 11-dart leg by Wright saw the latter move within touching distance of the last four.

Wade took out 81 to keep his fading hopes alive, before Wright finally closed out the match with a brilliant 134 for a 12-dart leg and a 5-3 win.

"I'm quite happy with how I played," said Wright, runner-up to Michael van Gerwen in 2014.

"I had to take the big 134 shot at the end because James is always right behind you. He is a top player and I'm pleased to get over this one.

"I'll be up for the semi-final and if I keep playing like this, you never know what could happen."