On an emotional night where former Sky Sports presenter Dave Clark took to the First Direct Arena stage to bid a final farewell to viewers, Michael van Gerwen ran riot with wins against Peter Wright and James Wade for his third Premier League success of the season
Thursday 7 April 2022 23:53, UK
Michael van Gerwen was back at his vintage best as he steamrollered James Wade to run riot in Leeds on Night Nine of the Premier League.
The Dutchman ruled the roost in West Yorkshire, adding to his success in Exeter and Brighton earlier in the campaign to make it three Premier League wins in just six weeks.
Van Gerwen took advantage of a quarter-final bye after Gary Anderson was ruled out of the night after testing positive for Covid-19 by ending the hopes of Peter Wright in the semi-finals before hammering Wade in the final, with 'The Machine' left to reflect on a third runners-up finish of the tournament.
"I've been battling hard. People have to understand it's been a tough time for me," Van Gerwen told Sky Sports.
"I always believe in myself and the people around me do. It feels good. It's still not enough, I still want to do better. It means a lot to me."
Van Gerwen has enjoyed a return to winning ways in 2022 after being overtaken in the PDC Order of Merit in the past 18 months by both Gerwyn Price and Wright, and added: "The times are different now in terms of dominance.
"I know there's still more work to do but you need to keep aiming for more, and winning is the best medicine for you.
"The most important thing right now is being happy with how I am playing, and if the right Michael van Gerwen turns up - I know I can win."
Van Gerwen defeated 'Snakebite' for a third time in this year's competition despite both players struggling on the outer ring.
The five-time Premier League champion moved 4-3 up despite 14 missed darts at doubles before winning the final two legs to close it out in a below-par contest.
Wade upset Price, still hampered by a fractured bone in his throwing hand, in a last-leg shootout. He followed that up by seeing off Jonny Clayton with a masterclass on double 10.
'Mighty Mike' dominated the final against Wade, breaking throw early on with a stunning 68 on the bullseye before racing away with the contest, ending with an impressive 103.87 average to move three points clear at the top of the table ahead of defending champion Clayton.
Wright began the night by defeating Michael Smith in a repeat of the World Championship final but an average of 103.99 plummeted to 86.37 when the Scot faced Van Gerwen.
Last week's Birmingham winner, Clayton spoiled Bradford-born Joe Cullen's homecoming with a trouncing in front of a raucous crowd.
The Premier League season continues next Thursday in Manchester, where Van Gerwen will take on Clayton.
The night also sees Wright take on Price in a repeat of the 2021 Grand Slam of Darts final, while Anderson is set to take on Wade and Cullen plays Smith.
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 the AO Arena in Manchester on Thursday, April 14 - live on Sky Sports Main Event & Sky Sports Action from 7pm.
