Skip to content

Premier League Darts: Michael van Gerwen triumphs in Brighton for back-to-back wins

Michael van Gerwen dominates for second successive Premier League night to move top of the standings; five-time champion defeats Michael Smith in rip-roaring Brighton final to take home the £10,000 bonus and five league points

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Watch the best checkouts from Night Five of Premier League Darts in Brighton

Michael van Gerwen was simply sensational beside the seaside as he made it back-to-back victories in the Premier League with a rocking performance in Brighton on Thursday.

Van Gerwen became the first player this year to win consecutive Premier League nights following his victory in Exeter with an equally-dominant performance to defeat James Wade, Joe Cullen and Michael Smith en route to victory on the south coast.

MVG struck with a 106 checkout to win the opening leg of the final before a clinical 76 allowed him to complete a 12-dart leg for a 3-1 lead.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Michael van Gerwen opened proceedings with this amazing 106 to break Michael Smith

Costly misses at doubles from Smith handed Van Gerwen the incentive he needed to take the next, but 'Bully Boy' stayed in touch with classy finishes of 83 and 126 on the bullseye to reduce the deficit to 4-3.

The Dutchman restored his two-leg cushion with a crucial hold of throw and, although Smith kept it close, Van Gerwen took out 54 to win a brilliant final with a 103.89 average and move top of the table.

"I feel good, I feel comfortable," Van Gerwen told Sky Sports. "The Premier League takes a lot of energy but when you are doing well it gives you a lot of pleasure.

"My form is starting to come together. I know what I am capable of but sometimes it takes a little bit of time."

Also See:

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

The Dutchman was delighted to move top of the table after sealing the Night Five title

Premier League - Night 5 in Brighton Results

Quarter-finals Gary Anderson 1-6 Michael Smith
Peter Wright 5-6 Jonny Clayton
Michael van Gerwen 6-5 James Wade
Joe Cullen 6-0 Gerwyn Price
Semi-finals Michael Smith 6-2 Jonny Clayton
Michael van Gerwen 6-1 Joe Cullen
Final Michael Smith 4-6 Michael van Gerwen

Two-time World Championship finalist Smith made it through to his maiden Premier League final in the new format with a 6-2 defeat of reigning champion Jonny Clayton.

Smith averaged just shy of 90 but was 46.2 on his checkout percentage compared to just 14.3 per cent from the Welshman to make it through to the showpiece.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Van Gerwen stormed to victory over Joe Cullen - going fishing on the south coast to reel in this magnificent 170

Van Gerwen, who was excellent in Exeter a week ago, coasted to victory over Cullen, who received a quarter-final walkover after his opponent Gerwyn Price pulled out earlier on Thursday night after suffering a hand injury.

'Mighty Mike' took out an impressive 88 checkout before reeling in 'The Big Fish' for a 4-0 lead over stone-cold Cullen.

Although 'The Rockstar' stopped the tungsten tide, Van Gerwen eventually pinned D5 to make it back-to-back finals.

Clayton survived two match darts to win a thrilling tussle against new world No 1 Peter Wright with a match-winning 121 checkout on the bullseye in the deciding leg.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Jonny Clayton pulled out this sensational 121 on the bullseye to defeat Peter Wright in a thriller

'The Ferret' also crashed in finishes of 120 and 141 to spoil Wright's party on his 52nd birthday.

Smith had bounced back from his heart-breaking UK Open final defeat to Danny Noppert with a 6-1 demolition job against Gary Anderson.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Smith said he is not looking back following his heart-breaking UK Open final defeat at the weekend

The St Helens thrower, who suffered an eighth successive defeat in a televised final over a four-year period, reeled off six legs on the spin to defeat an out-of-sorts Anderson thanks to three maximums and a 90.89 average.

Night Six from Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham: Thursday, March 17

Quarter-Finals Michael Smith vs James Wade
Michael van Gerwen vs Gerwyn Price
Gary Anderson vs Jonny Clayton
Joe Cullen vs Peter Wright

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Van Gerwen landed this fabulous 130 checkout on his way to a last-leg win over James Wade

Van Gerwen missed eight match darts before finally stumbling over the finish line in a deciding leg against Wade.

The Dutchman, who has drifted to world No 5, nailed finishes of 121 and 130.

Check out daily Darts news on skysports.com/darts, our app for mobile devices and our Twitter account @skysportsdarts. We're back for more Premier League action from Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham on Thursday, March 17 from 7pm on Sky Sports Action.

Around Sky