"I think it was a great game for people to watch and also for us to play in"
Friday 16 February 2018 12:35, UK
Reigning Premier League champion Michael van Gerwen said his clash against Gary Anderson in Newcastle was "phenomenal".
Van Gerwen bounced back from his loss to Peter Wright in Cardiff a week ago with a superb 7-3 win over Anderson.
The game of this year's Premier League so far saw both players average over 110, with Anderson firing in a 170 checkout but paying for nine missed doubles as Van Gerwen followed up seven 180s with a clinical finishing display.
Van Gerwen led 2-0 before Anderson took out 78 and 82 - for an 11-darter - to level, before responding to seven perfect darts from the Dutchman with the maximum checkout as he took the lead at 3-2.
World No 1 Van Gerwen landed two more maximums in a 12-darter to level, took out legs of 14 and 13 darts to move 5-3 up and capitalised on misses from Anderson in the next two as he sealed an amazing win.
I know now how to reach my A-game and I know that I can do that more often.
"Of course I enjoyed it. I think it was a great game for people to watch and also for us to play in," Van Gerwen told Sky Sports' Dave Clark and Wayne Mardle on the main stage. "We both played a phenomenal game. In the last two weeks I've not been at my best but Gary brings a little bit extra out of me.
"When you play like this against an opponent like Gary, it gives you a lot of confidence for the rest of the Premier League.
"We were both phenomenal and we can both be happy with the performance, but it's most important that I got the two points because I needed that to keep up with the players at the top of the table."
Speaking about the fifth leg of the match, the Dutchman called it a bit "annoying" after 'The Flying Scotsman' nailed a sensational 170 checkout to win the leg in which Van Gerwen had landed seven perfect darts.
"I missed two darts for a 3-0 lead, but I was in such good concentration and focus that I felt there was more in this game and I showed it straight after.
"I had to perform because I was only on two points, so I had to catch them up. I've already had Rob Cross, Peter Wright, and Gary Anderson so four points is not too bad. I know now how to reach my A-game and I know that I can do that more often."
The 2018 Premier League heads to the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin next Thursday with coverage underway from 7pm on Sky Sports Action. Twelve weeks of tungsten action will continue through to the season's conclusion with the Play-Offs on May 17 at The O2 in London.
Keep up to date with the latest darts news, previews, reports, reaction and expert analysis. Get all the latest at www.skysports.com/darts and join in the conversation @SkySportsDarts- don't forget to use #LoveTheDarts
