The story of the night from Cardiff as Glen Durrant goes top and Michael Smith impresses
Premier League Darts continues next Thursday in Dublin, coverage on Sky Sports Action from 7pm
Friday 21 February 2020 13:47, UK
Nathan Aspinall pulled off a stunning result to end Michael van Gerwen's 100 per cent start to the new Premier League season, while Glen Durrant claimed top spot with victory over Gary Anderson. We relive a terrific night of Premier League darts in Cardiff.
Peter Wright survived a fightback from Rob Cross to open the night with a 7-5 victory, before Michael Smith brushed aside Welshman Jonny Clayton.
UK Open winner Aspinall came out on top in a tight affair with the reigning champion Van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price held Daryl Gurney at 6-6 to secure his third draw of the campaign.
Durrant closed the night with a stylish 7-4 win against Anderson to leapfrog Van Gerwen into top spot.
The finish
Smith spoiled the Welsh party as he breezed beyond challenger Clayton with a dominant 7-1 victory inside 15 minutes, finishing with a superb 142 checkout.
Having gone 1-0 down, Bully Boy responded emphatically with seven successive legs which included a stunning 167 checkout to go 4-1 up.
Walk-on
Llanelli-born Clayton was fittingly serenaded by Sir Tom Jones' 'Delilah' as he was welcomed to the stage by the Cardiff crowd as the third of nine Premier League challengers this season.
While the introduction will live long in the memory, it quickly became a frustrating night courtesy of a bullish display from Smith, who won his first Premier League match since March 2019.
Duzza's doubles
It proved a signature performance from Durrant as he rediscovered his devastating finishing, underlined early on by his double one, 85 checkout and 13-darter to build a 3-0 lead.
Later followed a 107 checkout and a 12-dart leg, before the three-time Lakeside champion stayed calm to wrap up the win amid a late response from Anderson.
"Normal service is resumed" said Wayne Mardle on commentary after Durrant had struggled on his doubles during last week's draw against Fallon Sherrock.
The tweet
"We are top of the league..."
View from Mardle
Mardle hailed Smith as the 'performer of the night' after his demolition of challenger Clayton, while discussing Price's tremendous reception and 'beatable' Van Gerwen's first defeat of the season.
The standings
Here's how the table is looking after night three...
Next stop Dublin...
Live Premier League Darts
Night Four heads to Dublin as Irishman William O'Connor, the fourth challenger of the season, prepares to take on Van Gerwen.
Check out daily Darts news on skysports.com/darts, our app for mobile devices and our Twitter account @skysportsdarts.
Coverage of the Premier League continues on Thursday, February 27 in Dublin at 7pm on Sky Sports Action & Sky Sports Main Event with William O'Connor up against Michael van Gerwen. Don't forget, the coverage continues every Thursday through until the Play-Offs in London on May 21.
