Premier League Darts: Barney ends MVG's unbeaten run

The Dutchman's triumph over Taylor in Rotterdam last week drew him level with the Power's mark of 43, which he set from November 2004 to July 2005, and his triumph over the Machine in the opening match in Manchester saw him take sole ownership of the record.

But the world number one's stunning 179-day run was ended just under three hours later when his great Dutch rival rolled back the years to produce a stunning and well-deserved 7-5 victory which lifts him up to third in the table. 

Van Gerwen's last defeat on TV before Thursday night came back in September's Champions League of Darts final - fittingly against Taylor.

Against Wade in Manchester, MVG averaged over 104 and hit eight 180s while he closed the match out in style with a 120 checkout.

The world champion then had to play his game in hand on the rest of the field - as a consequence of missing the round in Exeter due to injury - in the last match of the night but found a revitalised Barney on top form.

Nevertheless, MVG still ended the night on top of the Premier League table after previous leader Peter Wright was beaten 7-5 by Phil Taylor.

It was arguably the Power's best performance of the season against an in-form Snakebite, who landed a superb 156 checkout to threaten a comeback from 6-3 down, and although he ended the night sixth in the table, he's only one point behind fourth-placed Gary Anderson. 

Meanwhile, the relegations of Kim Huybrechts and Jelle Klaasen were both confirmed after defeats to Gary Anderson and Adrian Lewis respectively.

Belgium's Huybrechts suffered a heavy 7-2 loss against Anderson while Dutchman Klaasen was beaten 7-5 by Lewis in a poor encounter in which both players averaged under 85. The win means Jackpot leapfrogs Taylor into fifth place.

Huybrechts and Klaasen occupy the bottom two places with just three points apiece and won't be able to catch third-bottom Dave Chisnall at Judgement Night in Cardiff next week.

Below is a full statistical breakdown of each match as well as player reaction while we also rank their performances at the bottom of this article as well as provide the updated Premier League table.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL SEASON FIXTURES, RESULTS & TABLE 

Michael van Gerwen 7-4 James Wade

Michael van Gerwen broke another of Phil Taylor's records as his 7-4 victory over James Wade in Thursday's Premier League Darts clash in Manchester extended his unbeaten strwak in televised matches to 44. 

The Dutchman's triumph over Taylor in Rotterdam last week drew him level with the Power's mark of 43, which he set from November 2004 to July 2005, and this latest win sees him take sole ownership of the record.

Fittingly, his last defeat on TV came back in September's Champions League of Darts final - against Taylor.

The world number one's stunning run included a second world title while the only televised he hasn't won was the UK Open due to an injury-enforced absence.

Against Wade, MVG averaged over 104 and hit eight 180s while he completed victory in style with a 120 checkout.

His opponent pushed him hard, however, with an average of just over 100 himself and MVG had to wait until the ninth leg before earning the first break of the match.

MVG's 44-match televised unbeaten streak is broken down as follows...

October 2016 - World Grand Prix (5 matches)
October 2016 - European Championship (5 matches)
November 2016 - World Series of Darts Finals (4 matches)
November 2016 - Grand Slam of Darts (7 matches)
November 2016 - Players Championship Finals (6 matches)
December 2016/January 2017 - World Championship (6 matches)
January 2017 - The Masters (4 matches)
February/March 2017 - Premier League (7 matches)

Three-dart averages
Van Gerwen: 104.2
Wade: 100.94

SCORING:
100+ thrown
Van Gerwen: 8
Wade:  16
140+ thrown
Van Gerwen: 12
Wade: 9
180+ thrown
Van Gerwen:  8
Wade:  2

CHECKOUTS
100+ checkouts
Van Gerwen: 120
Wade: N/A

Checkout percentage
Van Gerwen: 30.43% (7/23)
Wade: 40% (4/10)

Kim Huybrechts 2-7 Gary Anderson

Kim Huybrechts' relegation from this seaaon's Premier League has been confirmed a week before Judgement Night following a heavy 7-2 defeat at the hands of Gary Anderson.

The Belgian needed at least a draw in Manchester to keep alive his survival hopes but he now finds himself three points behind third-bottom Dave Chisnall with just one game left to play in Cardiff - after which the eight remaining players continue their quests to reach finals night on May 18.

Huybrechts only managed an average of 91.55 and missed six of his eight attempts at doubles as the impressive Anderson bounced back from last week's loss to Raymond van Barneveld to reignite his top-four bid.

"I needed the win and it's a good two points," said Anderson. "There was some good scoring and I hit a few good finishes there.

"Kim has played very well and just not had that little bit of luck, he could have won against Michael and against Phil Taylor, so it could have been different for him."  

Three-dart averages
Huybrechts: 91.55
Anderson: 101.86

SCORING:
100+ thrown
Huybrechts: 7
Anderson: 14
140+ thrown
Huybrechts: 9
Anderson: 9
180+ thrown
Huybrechts: 2
Anderson: 2

CHECKOUTS
100+ checkouts
Huybrechts: N/A
Anderson: 132, 130, 104

Checkout percentage
Huybrechts: 25% (2/8)
Anderson: 38.89% (7/18)

Peter Wright 5-7 Phil Taylor

Phil Taylor produced one of his best performances of the season to claim a high-quality 7-5 victory over Peter Wright in Manchester.

The Power led 6-3 but a late rally from Snakebite, who nailed a superb 156 checkout in the 10th leg, ensured an absorbing encounter went the distance.

Wright then looked on course to snatch a point when reaching 121 but after Taylor landed a timley 180 to get down to 62, the Scotsman failed to finish and his opponent took full advantage.

Taylor's triumph meant he ended the night sixth in the table but level on points with Gary Anderson and Adrian Lewis above him while Wright, who topped the table before the night began, now lies second behind Michael van Gerwen.

"It's a massive win for me," said Taylor. "It was a strange game - we've both missed plenty of doubles, but his 156 was incredible and I thought he was going to come back and get a draw.  

"He seems to do things under pressure like Michael van Gerwen does, he's a brilliant player and I think he's going to get stronger, but on the night he wasn't as good as he normally is. 

"I'm not going to worry and I won't put myself under pressure - I'd love to get in the top four but I'm going to keep pushing and I just want to keep enjoying it."

Three-dart averages
Wright: 102.45
Taylor: 98.75

SCORING:
100+ thrown
Wright: 14
Taylor: 13
140+ thrown
Wright: 11
Taylor: 10
180+ thrown
Wright: 6
Taylor: 5

CHECKOUTS
100+ checkouts
Wright: 156
Taylor: 112

Checkout percentage
Wright: 29.41% (5/17)
Taylor: 50% (7/14)

Jelle Klaasen 5-7 Adrian Lewis

Jelle Klaasen's hopes of avoiding Premier League relegation are over already after losing a poor match against Adrian Lewis.

Both players averaged under 85 and hit just 180 each as Klaasen failed to pick up the draw or win he needed to take his survival bid to Judgement Night in Cardiff next week.

Trailing third-bottom Dave Chisnall by three points, he'll now play Phil Taylor with nothing but pride on the line.

Jackpot was well below his best and even got away with missing six darts at a double in the final leg as he managed to eek out the victory which was enough to move him up to fifth in the table by the end of the night.

"I've had three wins on the trot and you can't argue with that," said Lewis. 

"It was a tough game and a vital two points. I'm trying my best at the minute and I'm playing well in patches."  

Three-dart averages
Klaasen: 81.25
Lewis: 84.39

SCORING:
100+ thrown
Klaasen: 19
Lewis: 16
140+ thrown
Klaasen: 1
Lewis: 9
180+ thrown
Klaasen: 1
Lewis: 1

CHECKOUTS
100+ checkouts
Klaasen: N/A
Lewis: N/A

Checkout percentage
Klaasen: 55.56% (5/9)
Lewis:  26.92% (7/26)

Raymond van Barneveld 7-5 Michael van Gerwen

Raymond van Barneveld ended Michael van Gerwen's record unbeaten streak of 44 matches on TV with a thrilling 7-5 victory in Manchester.

The world number one had earlier broken Phil Taylor's mark of 43 by defeating James Wade in the opening match of the night but the 179-day record, which stretched back to the World Grand Prix back in October, didn't last much longer as Barney held his nerve to follow last week's stunning win over Gary Anderson in Rotterdam with another shock triumph.

Van Barneveld averaged over 101.2, hit five 180s and came agonisingly close to a nine-dart finish in the third leg when his dart at double 12 narrowly missed on the inside.

He still moved 3-0 up and although MVG came storming back with four legs on the trot, Barney took the next three to guarantee himself at least a point.

The veteran Dutchman missed a match dart in the next leg as van Gerwen pulled one back but he then held his nerve to take out 70 to seal the two points which lifts him up to third in the table.  

"I'm top of the table and that's where I think I belong, but I'm disappointed because I wanted to be on 14 points and not 12," said Van Gerwen.

"Raymond took his chances and hit some good finishes, but this was my worst game of the season. When I was 3-0 down I got into my rhythm, but I missed some crucial shots - especially when I went 4-3 up - and you can't afford to make any mistakes." 

Van Barneveld said: "Michael's the best player at the moment and if you can beat him that's fantastic. I'm happy with the win, it's amazing. You can see how tight the league table is and I'm the first player to beat Michael in the Premier League this season - I showed that he is beatable.

"Last week in Rotterdam I played the number two in the world, Gary Anderson, and tonight it was the world number one and I got four points."  

Three-dart averages
Van Barneveld: 101.2
Van Gerwen: 101.93

SCORING:
100+ thrown
Van Barneveld: 18
Van Gerwen: 7
140+ thrown
Van Barneveld: 7
Van Gerwen: 15
180+ thrown
Van Barneveld: 5
Van Gerwen: 1

CHECKOUTS
100+ checkouts
Van Barneveld: N/A
Van Gerwen: 108

Checkout percentage
Van Barneveld: 38.89% (7/18)
Van Gerwen:  41.67% (5/12)

Premier League Darts 2017 Table

MVG P 8 W 5 D 2 L 1 LegD +13 Pts 12
Wright P 8 W 5 D 1 L 2 LegD +9 Pts 11
RVB P 8 W 4 D 2 L 2 LegD +3 Pts 10
Anderson P 8 W 3 D 3 L 2 LegD +6 Pts 9
Lewis P 8 W 4 D 1 L 3 LegD +4 Pts 9
Taylor P 8 W 3 D 3 L 2 LegD +3 Pts 9
Wade P 8 W 3 D 2 L 3 LegD +2 Pts 8
Chisnall P 8 W 3 D 0 L 5 LegD -10 Pts 6
Klaasen P 8 W 1 D 1 L 6 LegD -14 Pts 3
Huybrechts P 8 W 0 D 3 L 5 LegD -16 Pts 3

MVG has played one game less as he withdrew from week five due to injury, with Chisnall playing twice that night.  

Premier League Darts Week Eight: Statistics

Three-dart averages
Michael van Gerwen (v Wade): 104.2
Peter Wright: 102.45
Michael van Gerwen (v Barney): 101.93
Gary Anderson: 101.86
Raymond van Barneveld: 101.2
James Wade: 100.94
Phil Taylor: 98.75
Kim Huybrechts: 91.55
Adrian Lewis: 84.39
Jelle Klaasen: 81.25

180s Thrown
Michael van Gerwen (v Wade): 8
Peter Wright: 6
Phil Taylor: 5
Raymond van Barneveld: 5
James Wade: 2
Gary Anderson: 2
Kim Huybrechts: 2
Michael van Gerwen (v Barney): 1
Adrian Lewis: 1
Jelle Klaasen: 1 

Checkouts over 100
Peter Wright: 156
Gary Anderson: 132
Gary Anderson: 130
Michael van Gerwen (v Wade): 120 
Phil Taylor: 112
Michael van Gerwen (v Barney): 108
Gary Anderson: 104

Checkout percentages
Jelle Klaasen: 55.56% (5/9)
Phil Taylor: 50% (7/14)
Michael Van Gerwen (v Barney): 41.67% (5/12)
James Wade: 40% (4/10)
Raymond van Barneveld: 38.89% (7/18)
Gary Anderson: 38.89% (7/18)
Michael van Gerwen: 30.43% (7/23)
Peter Wright: 29.41% (5/17)
Adrian Lewis:  26.92% (7/26)
Kim Huybrechts: 25% (2/8)

Premier League: Next week's fixtures

Judgement Night, Thursday March 30
Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff
TV Coverage: Sky Sports 1 (1900 GMT)
Raymond van Barneveld v James Wade
Phil Taylor v Jelle Klaasen
Gary Anderson v Adrian Lewis
Michael van Gerwen v Dave Chisnall
Peter Wright v Kim Huybrechts
Tickets: 02920 22 44 88 or via www.ticketmaster.co.uk