James Wade can add to his dazzling darts career, says Rod Studd

As James Wade pursues a play-off place in the Premier League, our Sky Sports expert Rod Studd looks back at five memorable wins by 'The Machine'.

The 2009 champion is firmly in contention for a top-four place ahead of the latest round of Premier League matches in Belfast this Thursday night, live on Sky Sports 1.

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Studd has followed Wade's career from the commentary box and picks out five of his best performances. 

James Wade 17-7 Adrian Lewis, World Matchplay semi-final, 2007

At 24, James was the youngest winner of a PDC event when he won the World Matchplay final, but it was the semi-final win over Adrian Lewis that was so outstanding.

At the end of a 17-7 win, Wade ended with a 102 average and a 70 percent finishing ratio and four ton-plus checkouts. It was an absolutely breathtaking performance and he ran off eight successive legs to win.

In seven of those legs, Lewis was sitting on a double. It was a jaw-dropping display of finishing which we now see from Wade on a regular basis. 

James Wade 8-6 Phil Taylor, Premier League night one, 2008 

James became the first player to beat Phil Taylor in the Premier League. Phil had won the 2005, 2006 and 2007 titles without losing a match - 44 consecutive matches without defeat.

This was Wade's debut season and he beat 'The Power' in his first match 8-6. Taylor appeared to be heading for another routine triumph when he led 6-5, but Wade reeled off a couple of 14-dart legs.

Taylor then missed double 16 to snatch a draw and Wade hit double 10, his favourite, to seal the win.

James Wade 5-4 John Part, World Championship quarter-final, 2012  

Arguably the greatest game ever played in the World Championship at Alexandra Palace. It was a match that ebbed and flowed.

In a first-to-five-set contest, Wade led 3-1, Part edged in front 4-3, before Wade levelled at 4-4.

During a gripping final set, the place was almost in a hush as the crowd were mesmerised by a match that went all the way to an 11th and tie-breaking leg.

At 5-5, James had the throw, but Party left double top after 12 darts, only to see Wade go out with an 85 finish.

I remember interviewing John on the stage afterwards and he said: "That was certainly the greatest game I ever lost."

James Wade 3-1 Phil Taylor, World Grand Prix quarter-final, 2014

Both Wade and Robert Thornton had already recorded nine-dart legs in a second round win for 'The Machine'. It was a memorable tournament for Wade.

The Premier League match was a round-robin game and, despite his major title wins, Wade was yet to beat Taylor in a knockout tournament.

They would meet again in the quarter-finals and it was a terrific display. Wade punished any mistake Taylor made. There were three ton-plus finishes, but it was more about his ruthless performance.

Every time Taylor missed, Wade hit, and I know it meant a lot to him that he had finally beaten Taylor in a big televised knockout game.      

James Wade 11-10 Mervyn King, The Masters final, 2014

Wade would play Taylor again in the semi-finals of the Masters and beat him again, but it was the final that is remembered as one of the greatest comebacks in the history of televised darts.

It was a first-to-11-leg match against King, who was playing so well at the time. Mervyn went 9-2 in front and it appeared to be all over, the game was finished, and there was surely no way back for Wade.

But Mervyn would miss eight match darts in total as Wade clawed his way back to level at 10 legs apiece. He would produce fireworks in the final leg, checking out 135 to win. 

What a brilliant finish to end a brilliant fightback from Wade. It was his first major TV title for three years and, currently, his last one.

But the way he's been playing, who is to say that he won't be adding the Premier League to it in a few weeks' time?

Watch all of the Premier League action from night 11 in Belfast, starting at 7pm on Sky Sports 1.