Premier League: Week 12
“I’m really pleased to have won tonight,” said van Barneveld. “Every
week you have to be focused and concentrate so hard because this
event is awesome and every player is fantastic.”
“This looks like a comfortable win but it wasn’t, even though Adrian
didn’t play his best darts. I’m happy with my game at the moment and
to be on 19 points, I feel like I’ll be in the play-offs now.”
“It’s a big achievement to make sure I’m in the top four, but I don’t
want to relax and I want to stay at my best in the next few weeks.”
Michael van Gerwen 7-4 Dave Chisnall
Michael van Gerwen remained at the top of the table, despite not
reaching his best form in this match.
The Dutchman did lose the first leg of the match, but he had soon
levelled things up and the pair scrapped their way to 3-3.
Photo: PDC/Lawrence Lustig
Chisnall produced a maximum and a 118 checkout as he broke throw
in the seventh leg, but it would prove to be his last leg victory as van
Gerwen immediately broke back, before taking the final three legs of
the match to secure both points.
“I’m very happy with this win,” said van Gerwen.
“I didn’t play my best game and neither did Dave, but it was an exciting
one and I managed to get the job done. Another win takes the pressure
off me and I’m really pleased - but I want to keep this up now and stay
at the top of the table.”
Gary Anderson 6-6 Robert Thornton
The Scottish duo played out a thrilling 6-6 draw in this one. It was
Anderson who had the better of the early stages, and the former
Premier League champion quickly established a 3-0 lead.
Thornton however was in supreme scoring form and he had soon
levelled the match up at 3-3, before the pair shared the last six legs on
the throw with Thornton landing a total of five 180s.
“It’s not a bad night for me and I see that as two points gained,”
admitted Anderson. “In the second game, against Robert, I made a
mess of it and gifted him a point.”
“I felt like I threw the win away but the table’s still wide open and I’m
neck and neck with Phil and hot on Peter’s heels, so it’s set up nicely
for the last few weeks.”
The Verdict
Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld both took a huge step
towards the play-offs, indeed van Gerwen would have to lose all three
“It’s not a bad
night for me and
I see that as two
points gained”
Gary Anderson