Premier League: Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor drop points as Robert Thornton stages revival
Friday 25 March 2016 17:10, UK
After Michael van Gerwen was held to another draw, we pick out five talking points from night eight in Liverpool.
The world No 1 had to share the points with Robert Thornton, just a week after his draw with Phil Taylor, but he still retained top spot at the Echo Arena.
'The Power' was also denied by Peter Wright, who hit back to claim a 6-6 draw, and Thornton ended on a high as his earlier win over Michael Smith meant he moved out of the bottom two.
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MVG letting it slip
After setting sky-high standards, Van Gerwen was visibly unhappy with himself after being frustrated by Thornton.
Few would have expected Thornton to take a point from Van Gerwen, particularly after his torrid start to the campaign, but he deservedly took the final leg to leave 'Mighty Mike' looking disgusted with himself.
Van Gerwen's average slipped to a rather routine 97.57 and Sky Sports expert Wayne Mardle believes the lost points could even be costly as the race for the top four intensifies.
"Michael van Gerwen fluffed his lines really for two weeks running now," said Mardle. "He's thrown away some points and may be made to pay."
Taylor's taste of medicine
'The Power' may have pinched a point against Van Gerwen in the previous week, but he received a taste of his own medicine as Wright hit back in the last leg.
Taylor counted the cost of three missed match darts and admitted he was 'gutted' in the post-match interview.
Despite that frustrating result, Taylor is still level on points and just a leg behind Van Gerwen in the table, and can draw positives from a performance which saw him average 101 and included a 141 checkout.
Anderson flying high
Gary Anderson is also level on points with the leading Van Gerwen after his comfortable win over Dave Chisnall, his sixth successive victory.
The 'Flying Scotsman' needed time to find his fitness and form after a virus, but his determined title defence is gathering pace by the week.
Anderson said he was 'nipping at the heels' of his rivals and has shown in the past that he has the bite to beat Van Gerwen.
Robert on the rise
At the start of the evening, Thornton was rock-bottom of the table without a win and appeared set for an early exit from the competition.
But Thornton's fate is now in his own hands after he collected three precious points and he might not even need a result on 'Judgement Night' to beat the drop.
Mardle was full of praise for the Scot after he produced the best performance of his campaign when he needed it the most.
"Well we said tonight was all about Robert Thornton and it turned out just that way," said Mardle. "He has now given himself a fantastic opportunity to not be eliminated."
Exit signs
Smith and Dave Chisnall sit in the bottom two ahead of next week's 'Judgement Night' and the two strugglers showed little to suggest they can avoid elimination.
In a crucial survival scrap, Smith averaged just 92 as he slumped to defeat against Thornton, while Chisnall hit just four of his 19 darts at a double in the defeat to Anderson.
Both men face tough tasks next week, with Smith against Taylor and Chisnall against Wright, and Thornton could even survive with a loss against Adrian Lewis.
Watch the Premier League's 'Judgement Night' next Thursday, starting at 7pm on Sky Sports 1
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