MICHAEL SMITH drew blood twice during his Grand Slam of Darts quarter-final defeat to Luke Humphries.
Bully Boy tried to claw his way back into the contest but it was the sharp points of his arrows that slashed his forehead, prompting Humphries to ask: “What happened to your head?”
Smith, who fell behind early on, looked on course for an impressive comeback when he drew level at 7-7 in the first-to-16 contest.
But Humphries found another gear to win nine of the next 10 legs and book his spot in the semi-finals with a 16-8 victory.
Smith grew increasingly frustrated as the match progressed, and the on-stage microphones picked up several of his angry screams.
Then, late in the match, a bloody scratch caused by the point of a dart became visible on his forehead.
Smith had been tapping the sharp tip near his hairline while pondering how to get back into the showdown.
And by the time he embraced Humphries moments after being dumped out of the tournament, a second stream of blood had emerged.
Sky Sports commentator Dan Dawson said: “Michael Smith when he is frustrated, when he is worried, when he is trying to figure things out on the dartboard he will take the point of his dart and he scratches his forehead.
“He has done that so much he has drawn blood.”
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Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn 2 – all the info
TIME for round two of this generation’s family feud!
Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn go punch-for-punch once again as both rivals look to make their fathers proud.
The blockbuster rematch takes place at the 62,000-seater Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, November 15.
Eubank Jr narrowly outpointed his bitter foe after 12 brutal rounds in April to secure the bragging rights in what was certainly a Fight of the Year contender.
And the two British superstars will dance once more as Eubank Jr aims to do the double while Benn seeks revenge after suffering a first career loss.
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Smith, 35, will leave Wolverhampton with good memories and he was only a fraction away from a nine-darter in leg 11 but, much to the fans’ annoyance, he missed the key double 12.
At times, Humphries – who had a back spasm on Wednesday and struggled to lift his head off the pillow when he woke up – was unplayable.
Provided he stays fit and healthy, he has an excellent chance of lifting the title again this weekend, but he will have to get past Gerwyn Price first on Sunday afternoon.
Lifting the Eric Bristow Trophy again is not in itself enough to stay as world No.1 because he will lose that status if Luke Littler – who faces Josh Rock in the quarters on Saturday – makes the final.
Humphries, who averaged 105, set out his intentions in leg one with a break of throw and then led 4-1 going into the first TV break with a 105.13 average, more than 13 points better than Smith.
The pair shared a hug and a laugh when the next comfort break took place even though Humphries was 7-3 up at this point.
After they returned to the oche, both men were targeting a nine-darter but after Smith could not find the accuracy with his ninth dart, Humphries missed his seventh successive treble 20.
Former world champion Humphries had hit a nine-darter against Smith in the group stage.
And that would have been perfect revenge for Bully Boy upon his return to the big time this week after a series of debilitating injuries.
Smith drew level at 7-7 and threatened a comeback but then missed the Bull for 164, and Humphries responded with a stunning 138.
In the race to 16 legs, Humphries continued to throw solid, consistent darts despite his injury and cruised to the target, finishing on double nine.
