Friday 27 March 2015 11:18, UK
Michael van Gerwen produced a darting masterclass to gain sweet revenge over compatriot Raymond van Barneveld in the battle of the tungsten titans at the 3Arena in Dublin.
Van Gerwen, beaten by his rival in last year's Premier League final, narrowly missed a sensational nine-dart finish in the second leg of his match as he recorded a handsome 7-2 success over crowd favourite Barney.
The former world champion hit eight perfect darts before narrowly missing double 12 by the width of a wire.
For the ninth time this year I've missed a nine-darter, but I played in another fantastic game and that's the most important thing.
Unstoppable Dutch ace 'Mighty Mike' remains unbeaten in this year's event and stayed top of the table, finishing with a 108.71 dart average and ended the match with a sensational 160 finish.
Van Gerwen, who won the Gibraltar Trophy last weekend, has now won 57 of his 63 matches in all competitions so far this year.
"For the ninth time this year I've missed a nine-darter, but I played in another fantastic game and that's the most important thing," said the world No 1.
"I wasn't playing that well but when you hear the crowd's noise it makes you feel good."
Huybrechts eliminated
Debutant Kim Huybrechts was the first player to be eliminated from this year's tournament after losing to six-time champion Phil Taylor.
Stoke great Taylor recorded his first win in three and extended his winning streak over Huybrechts to nine matches thanks to a 7-4 victory in front of a 11,000-strong crowd on the Emerald Isle.
The 16-time champion of the world, who averaged a world record 115.8 in his defeat to Van Barneveld last week, told Sky Sports: "I've got to get better. I love playing the top players and I've got (Dave) Chisnall next week in Manchester and I want to win."
In the night's other matches, 2009 champion James Wade inflicted a first defeat in six matches against Peter Wright to seal a 7-3 win and move into fourth spot.
Aldershot ace Wade raced into an early 3-0 lead and although 'Snakebite' hit back to make it 4-3, it was left-hander who ran away with victory.
Comfortable
Dave Chisnall opened the night with a comfortable 7-2 win over the two-time world champion Adrian Lewis.
'Chizzy' took out the highest check-out of the match with a 107 to move 4-2 ahead before romping away with the match.
St Helens' Chisnall finished with a 100.84 average to make a profligate Lewis pay.
I made a right mess of the doubles at times and Stephen (Bunting) should have won that. I'm doing alright. If I finish in the top four, I'll be happy with that.
"It was a little bit slow at the beginning, both players," admitted Chisnall, who stays in third position in the table. "Aidy missed a couple of darts at doubles and I capitalised on his misses. When I got to 4-1, 4-2 whatever it was, I just ran away with it."
Former Lakeside champion Stephen Bunting has work to do next week in Manchester when he meet Kim Huybrechts after losing 7-4 to 'The Flying Scotsman' Anderson.
The world champion, who was 4-2 down, came flying back to win the last five legs thanks to impressive 125 and 134 checkouts and finishing with double top to wrap up the win and stay in second spot.
"This is one of the best stadiums in the world for darts," said Anderson. "I made a right mess of the doubles at times and Stephen should have won that. I'm doing alright. If I finish in the top four, I'll be happy with that."
Next week is Judgement Night in Manchester, live on Sky Sports 1 from 7pm, with Lewis up against Wright in a winner takes all clash to see who will be joining Huybrechts on their way home.
