Phil Taylor turns back the clock to defeat Michael van Gerwen in Thursday's Premier League darts
Wins for Dave Chisnall, Gary Anderson and Peter Wright
Friday 5 May 2017 09:17, UK
A stunning display of arrows by six-time Premier League champion Phil Taylor helped him inch closer to the play-offs by defeating Michael van Gerwen in Sheffield on Thursday.
Taylor all but sealed his place at London's O2 in his farewell season by completing a stunning 7-3 success over world No 1 and reigning champion Van Gerwen in the Steel City.
Van Gerwen hit a nine-darter as he won a Players Championship on Saturday but was left reeling by a Taylor onslaught as the 16-time World Champion struck with two barnstorming checkouts of 96 and 90 on his way to a crushing victory.
"It was surreal for me," Taylor told Sky Sports. "This is one of the best venues and these are my kind of people. They're working class, down to earth, they pay their money, and for me, this will be my last time on stage here in Sheffield.
"It was a strange game. I just thought I might as well enjoy it so when you relax it makes you relaxed on the oche."
Gary Anderson cemented his place in the play-offs as he beat James Wade while Dave Chisnall put himself in with a great chance of qualifying after upsetting Raymond van Barneveld.
Two-time Premier League champion Anderson became the third player, behind Van Gerwen and Peter Wright, to secure his top four spot by seeing off Wade 7-3.
Anderson sits on 18 points in the table, one ahead of fourth-placed Taylor, and ensured his place at The O2 on May 18 with a comprehensive win in a scrappy contest in which both players failed to hit top form.
"Tonight I felt really nervous, but eventually got there," said Anderson. "At this stage you want to be in the top four - it doesn't matter who you're playing."
Chisnall boosted his play-off ambitions with another victory as he held off five-time World Champion Van Barneveld to record a huge 7-5 win and leave the great Dutchman in grave danger having picked up just two points in the last six weeks of action.
The St Helens man struck a magnificent 142 checkout as he averaged 109.36 to stretch his unbeaten run to six matches.
UK Open champion Peter Wright kept the pressure on leader Van Gerwen and his chance of claiming the £25,000 League Winner's Bonus by ending Adrian Lewis' hopes with a ruthless 7-2 victory and a tidy 100.5 three-dart average.
"I've learned a lot and it's great to be going to the O2," said the world No 3. "If I can keep the pressure on Michael van Gerwen, then it's good."
You can see all the action from the AECC GE Oil & Gas Arena in Aberdeen next Thursday from 7pm on Sky Sports 1 HD, including the clash between Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson.
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