Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson and Adrian Lewis record Premier League wins
MVG undefeated in televised games since September as 'The Power' tops the table
Friday 10 February 2017 11:42, UK
Reigning Premier League champion Michael van Gerwen kept his televised unbeaten streak going with a 7-3 victory over Peter Wright at Nottingham's Motorpoint Arena on Thursday.
The world No 1 has not been defeated in a televised game since last September, although he endured a disappointing weekend in the three UK Open Qualifiers in Wigan where 'Snakebite' ended his 16-match losing run against him.
But Van Gerwen gained revenge on his opponent as he motored into a 6-0 lead, including a massive 170 along the way. He looked on course to complete a whitewash, but Wright added some respectability to the scoreboard by winning the next three legs on the trot.
However, it was the Dutchman who finally completed the win in the 10th leg to extend his winning run to 40 matches, totalling 137 days on TV.
"I think there was only one winner in this game and I'm glad it was me," Van Gerwen told Sky Sports. "I had a bad week, but I'm also human and things like that can happen to me. My last defeat on TV was against Phil Taylor in September, but I want to keep pressure on myself."
In a repeat of the 2009 Premier League final, six-time champion Phil Taylor was forced to settle for a share of the spoils against James Wade in a thrilling 6-6 draw which kept him top of the standings.
'The Power' looked to be on his way to sealing maximum points when he nailed a show-stopping 142 checkout to take a 6-5 lead, but two 140s enabled Aldershot thrower Wade to take control of the final leg before landing tops for the draw.
"I was kicking myself," said Wade, who averaged 98.88. "Phil has cost me a lot of money and I hate him, but he's actually a nice guy. It would be a great shame for darts [if he retires]. It will be a weird world without Phil Taylor in it.
Two-time Premier League champion Gary Anderson proved too strong for former Lakeside winner Jelle Klaasen completing a majestic 7-3 victory.
'The Flying Scotsman', who averaged 100, said: "I pinched the win. It's a long game, but I need to work on my finishing for next week."
Two-time former world champion Adrian Lewis secured his first win with an impressive 7-2 annihilation of Dave Chisnall.
The Stoke thrower lost a 4-1 advantage to lose 7-5 to Raymond van Barneveld in Newcastle last Thursday, but was back to his clinical best against an out-of-form 'Chizzy' finishing with a 94.43 three-dart average and 54 per cent on the doubles.
"It wasn't really a good game. I let myself down last week which was very frustrating, but it's swings and roundabouts in darts," said Jackpot, who landed a cracking 160 checkout in the seventh leg.
Belgian ace Kim Huybrechts held 2014 Premier League champion Van Barneveld to a 6-6 draw in a match which featured six breaks of throw.
"Both of us could have won it and both of us maybe think we should have won it," said Huybrechts. "I think we're both happy with that.
"It could have been more points but it could have been less as well because Barney had a couple of darts to go 5-3 up, so at the end I think a draw is maybe fair."
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