 Complete the following phrase:  Thornton was eliminated at the first round stage of a World Championship for the first time in his career in 2016, when he could only take three legs off Alan Norris in a 30 defeat. He relinquished an 80 lead in the first round of the Masters to lose 109 against Dave Chisnall. On the opening night of the Premier League, Thornton averaged just 75.68 as Chisnall whitewashed him 70. He only won two matches out of 16 games to finish eighth in the table. Thornton was knocked out in the second round of the UK Open 64 by Arron Monk. Thornton suffered another heavy loss to Chisnall, this time 112 in the second round of the World Matchplay and he was beaten 21 in sets by Stephen Bunting in the opening round of the World Grand Prix. He lost in the first round of the European Championship 64 to Cristo Reyes and was involved in a nine dart shoot-out at the 