can, and this was a great win,” said Thornton. “I felt really comfortable
and I don’t want to make it easy for anyone else to make the play-offs
against me.”
“I love this tournament, it’s absolutely brilliant and you’re up against
another nine top players, so I’m not too disappointed with how it’s
gone.”
Raymond van Barneveld 6-6 Phil Taylor
Raymond van Barneveld once again failed to secure a Premier League
victory over Phil Taylor, although this crucial draw has brought him
level on points with Michael van Gerwen at the top of the table.
Taylor moved two legs clear at 3-1, only for Barneveld to first level
things up and then move in front as he took four legs in a row to lead
5-3.
Taylor once again fought back and he had soon levelled the match,
although Barneveld was the first to secure a point at 6-5 and may feel
a little disappointed not to have secured all both as Taylor snatched a
point to keep his play-off push on track.
“Against Phil, if you were offered a draw before the game you’d
probably take it and it takes me onto 20 points and I’m happy,”
said van Barneveld. “Neither of us were at our best and I never felt
comfortable, so I’m pleased to get a point.”
“Maybe a point was a fair result but I missed three crucial doubles in
the tenth leg and if one of them had gone in I might have got the win.”
“I’m still up there and I’m unbeaten for 11 weeks now, and I’m still
focused on trying to make the final. I’m going to keep working hard and
I want to keep playing well.”
Gary Anderson 7-4 Michael van Gerwen
Michael van Gerwen took the matches’ opening leg, only to see
Anderson reel off five in a row as he landed two maximums and a
117 checkout in response.
Anderson then added a third 180, but van Gerwen
was first to a double and he was able to close
the gap to 5-2, before Anderson went on to
secure at least a point in only the eighth
leg of the match.
The Scotsman faltered somewhat at
Photo: PDC/Lawren