Michael van Gerwen produced a breathtaking performance against Michael Smith as he won his fourth Premier League Darts title at London's O2.
Scroll down for a full blog recap & stats from the Premier League Play-Offs
By Chris Hammer
Michael van Gerwen produced one of the greatest performances ever seen to win his fourth Premier League Darts title as he thrashed first-time finalist Michael Smith 11-4 thanks to a blistering average of 112.37.
It's the second highest ever in a televised final - just below the 112.49 he managed in the 2015 Masters - but at one point his own televised world record of 123.40 was at risk.
That was a mark he set in the 2016 Premier League regular season against Smith and when he led 8-2 tonight, he was still averaging as high as 122.24.
His ridiculously high levels then slipped off ever so slightly as Bully Boy, who was appearing in his first major TV final after seeing off his mentor Gary Anderson 10-6 in the last four, managed to win three of the next five legs with the help of two ton+ checkouts.
It merely delayed the inevitable as MVG sealed a third straight Premier League title and a cheque for £250,000 (in addition to the £25,000 league leaders' bonus) with a 112 checkout, pinning his 11th double in just 16 attempts.
He told www.pdc.tv: "I think I played a phenomenal game, one of my best ever. I know I had a big job to do to win the game but I was focussed on doing something extra – I wanted to break the record average but I fell just short.
"There was a lot of pressure on me to perform but I think I coped with it well and ran out a deserved winner. I had to be at my best to beat Michael, he is one of the big boys now. It means a lot to me to win this tournament, I had to work hard for this over the last 16 weeks and to win it again is amazing."
Smith can walk away from the campaign with his head held higher than ever after finally proving he's properly 'arrived' on the big stage.
The 2013 World Youth champion began the season as an 80/1 outsider for and third favourite for relegation, with some critics even questioning his place in the 10-man line-up.
But having finished the regular season in second place and then beating his great friend Anderson in the semi-final, he'll now firmly believe he can one day soon scoop a major trophy.
The St Helens man averaged a far from shabby 97 in the final, hitting six 180s and throwing those two 100+ checkouts, with one of them being the match high of 125.
He said: "Michael was just too good tonight, I tried my best but it just wasn’t enough on the night. Even at 8-2 down I was battling to win legs, which I might not have done before this year when I might’ve thrown the towel in. I will be back next year, determined to go one better and lift the title."
Mighty Mike had reached his sixth successive final in this competition after earlier extending his 100% semi-final record with a comfortable 10-6 victory over an out-of-sorts Rob Cross, meaning he completed the season treble over the world champion.
Voltage seemed to be affected by the sternum injury which forced him to pull out of the weekend's Dutch Darts Masters through injury and only averaged 96 although he did bring a degree of respectabilities to the scoreline after falling 5-1 behind.
Those three Premier League wins over Cross this season will go a huge way to making up for that epic World Championship semi-final defeat he suffered at the hands of the Englishman and there's certainly no doubt who truly is the best on the planet right now.
Premier League Play-Offs: Statistics
FINAL: Michael van Gerwen 11-4 Michael Smith
- Average
MVG: 112.37
Smith: 97.01 - 180s
MVG: 7
Smith: 6 - 100+ checkouts
MVG: 1
Smith: 2 - High checkout
MVG: 112
Smith: 125 - Checkout percentage
MVG: 68.75% (11/16)
Smith: 36.36% (4/11)
SEMI-FINAL: Michael van Gerwen 10-6 Rob Cross
- Average
MVG: 103.65
Cross: 96.04 - 180s
MVG: 9
Cross: 5 - 100+ checkouts
MVG: 1
Cross: 1 - High checkout
MVG: 128
Cross: 118 - Checkout percentage
MVG: 50% (10/20)
Cross: 54.55% (6/11)
SEMI-FINAL: Michael Smith 10-6 Gary Anderson
- Average
Smith: 97.49
Anderson: 95.35 - 180s
Smith: 8
Anderson: 5 - 100+ checkouts
Smith: 2
Anderson: 0 - High checkout
Smith: 120
Anderson: 60 - Checkout percentage
Smith: 40% (10/25)
Anderson: 33.33% (6/18)
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL SEASON RESULTS, TABLE & STATISTICS
Premier League Darts Blog Recap
By Chris Hammer
That was a truly special performance from a man who just loves reminding the world that he is the very best. There's always doubters waiting for him to trip up but there's nobody that can stop him in that kind of mood.
MVG's average of 112.37 was just a shade lower than his world best for a televised final (112.49 in the 2015 Masters) while he threw seven 180s, had a high checkout of 112 and hit 11 of his 16 attempts at doubles.
He won three legs in 11-darts during a breathtaking run which saw him go 8-1 up and at that point he was seriously threatening his own world-record televised average of 123.40, which he managed against Smith in the 2016 Premier League.
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
- Overall: 22-5
- 2018 Premier League meetings
MVG 7-2 Smith - Night 8 (Click for report & stats)
Smith 1-7 MVG - Night 14 (Click for report & stats) - Other TV major meetings
MVG 7-1 Smith - Premier League, Feb '16
MVG 10-3 Smith - Masters, Jan '16
MVG 16-6 Smith - Grand Slam of Darts SF, Nov '15
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
- Overall: 3-9
- 2018 Premier League meetings
Anderson 5-7 Smith - Night 1 (Click here for report & stats)
Smith 2-7 Anderson - Night 12 (Click here for report & stats) - Other TV major meetings
Anderson 10-6 Smith - Grand Slam of Darts L16, Nov '17
Anderson 10-5 Smith - Champions League of Darts Gp, Sept '16
PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS 2018 STATS
- League Position: Second - Third
- Matches Won/Lost/Drawn: Smith 9-5-2 Anderson 8-5-3
- Legs Won/Lost: 90/66 - 95/80
- 3-dart Average: 95.21 - 99.11
- 180s: 41 - 57
- 100+ checkouts: 10 - 17
- Highest checkout: 160 - 170
- Checkout %: 42.45% (90/212) - 42.04% (95/226)
GARY ANDERSON FACTS
- Nickname: The Flying Scotsman
- Date of Birth: 22/12/1970
- Nationality: Scottish
- World Ranking: 4
- Walk-on music: Jump Around, House of Pain
- Career highlights: 2x World Champion (2015, 2016), 2x Premier League champion (2011, 2015), UK Open champion (2018), Players Championship Finals champion (2014), over 30 other PDC titles, runner-up in 10 other major finals including the World Championship, UK Open, World Grand Prix & Champions League of Darts
MICHAEL SMITH FACTS
- Nickname: Bully Boy
- Date of Birth: 18/09/1990
- Nationality: English
- World Ranking: 9
- Walk-on music: Shut Up & Dance, Walk The Moon
- Career highlights: World Youth Champion (2013), winner of nine non-televised PDC titles
1955: Next up is the clash between the 'mentor' and the 'protege' as two-time winner Gary Anderson takes on 80/1 pre-tournament outsider Michael Smith.
The Flying Scotsman said of Bully Boy: "He’s like my adopted son but I will be playing to win. It’ll be great playing Michael on such a massive stage and whichever one of us loses will be there cheering the other on in the final. Whoever wins will be on the wind-up for the next fortnight and neither of us wants to be on the receiving end!"
For more quotes from both players, click here.
MVG DEFEATS ROB CROSS 10-6 TO REACH THE PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS FINAL
MVG: "I made it hard for myself, I don't know why. I did enough to win that game, I could've done a lot better but it's still a phenomenal win. Rob's had a tough year so far and a lot to deal with."
Cross says: “I feel like I might’ve tried a bit too hard early on in the match. My first dart wasn’t going right all night, which allowed Michael to run riot and do what he does best.
“The Premier League has been a massive learning curve for me and I’m confident that I will do even better in the tournament next year if I’m selected. This is still just the beginning for me, I’ve got so much more to give and I know that I will be back playing my best darts in the near future.”
LEG 16
MVG's ninth maximum of the match sets up a clinical 15-darter, which he finishes off with 70 checkout as he books his place in a sixth successive Premier League Darts Final. Voltage's superb debut season has a damp squib finish but you have to say his recent injury problems did affect him up at the oche.
MVG 10-6 Cross
LEG 15
MVG was expecting to come back to take out eight for a place in the final, only for Rob Cross to take out 118 on the bullseye to stay alive. What a shame he's starting to play to his potential so late in the day.
MVG 9-6 Cross
LEG 14
Voltage reduces the deficit with a 12-darter of his own, helped along by his fifth maximum, but it's surely all in vain. He can't win five more legs on the trot can he?
MVG 9-5 Cross
LEG 13
A stunning checkout of 128 following his eighth 180 of the match completes a 12-darter and puts MVG just one away from a sixth successive Premier League Darts final.
MVG 9-4 Cross
LEG 12
Again, MVG gave Cross a huge opportunity when strangely failing to take out 53 following superb visits of 180, 134 and 134. But this time Voltage couldn't take advantage when missing a dart at tops. He paid the price.
MVG 8-4 Cross
LEG 11
Awful set up play from both players. First MVG erroneously hit a treble five to scupper his chances of taking out 104 before Cross made a hash of taking out 72 when following single 20 with single one. He threw his last dart haphazardly at three, not expecting to get another try. But he did, after MVG failed to take out 54, missing twice at tops. Cross then capitalised on double 16 to steal a break.
MVG 7-4 Cross
INTERVAL
MVG is averaging 105.65 compared to Cross' 92.75 and you won't be surprised to learn he's as short as 1/100 with Sky Bet for victory, with Voltage at 20/1.
LEG 10
Maybe it's not quite all over yet as Voltage pulls a much-needed leg back on his own throw thanks to solid visits of 140, 137, 96 and 92 before taking out 36 for a 15-darter.
MVG 7-3 Cross
LEG NINE
MVG is marching towards the final as a fifth 180 of the match puts him on his way to an 11-darter, with Cross way back on 245. There is no way back.
MVG 7-2 Cross
LEG EIGHT
Cross' mini comeback lasted just one leg as MVG breaks back immediately in a relatively sluggish 18 darts. His average as come down to 106 but he will hardly care about that given the scoreline.
MVG 6-2 Cross
LEG SEVEN
MVG was on course to go 6-1 up but he missed three darts at a double from 40 and that allowed Cross to break by taking out 80 in two darts. He earlier hit his third 180 of the match to show signs of recovery.
MVG 5-2 Cross
LEG SIX
Perhaps the injury that forced Rob Cross out of the weekend's Dutch Darts Masters is troubling him tonight as he's just not putting MVG under any pressure. He's broken again after failing to reach a finish as van Gerwen wins the leg in 13 darts.
MVG 5-1 Cross
LEG FIVE
It's looking quite a procession at the moment, with MVG averaging almost 112 and Cross down on 94. Visits of 134, 140 and 180 in this leg sets up an 11-darter for MVG, with a far from high Voltage back on 223.
MVG 4-1 Cross
LEG FOUR
The Dutchman is pumped up now as he earns the first break of the match in 15 darts after Cross faltered on 91 and failed to even earn a shot at a double. It's stating the obvious but he can't afford to let MVG get a commanding lead.
MVG 3-1 Cross
LEG THREE
MVG gets his nose ahead once more with a comfortable hold in 15 darts, managing a third 180 in the process. Cross was way back on 183.
MVG 2-1 Cross
LEG TWO
Cross is unfazed by that blistering start from MVG as he hits his first maximum of the match on his way to a cool 14-dart leg to level the scores.
MVG 1-1 Cross
LEG ONE, MVG TO THROW FIRST
Wow what a start from MVG at the O2, which is still filling up. The Dutchman opened the match with a 180, then threw another on his third visit before taking out 84 in three for a 12-darter.
MVG 1-0 Cross
1916: Right, MVG vs Rob Cross is about to begin. I've already shared their season stats so here's a quick look at their career achievements and bios.
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN FACTS
- Nickname: Mighty Mike
- Date of Birth: 25/04/1989
- Nationality: Dutch
- World Ranking: 1
- Walk-on music: Seven Nation Army, White Stripes
- Career highlights: 2x World Champion (2014 & 2017), 2x World Matchplay champion (2015, 2016), 3x Premier League champion (2013, 2016, 2017), 3x World Grand Prix champion (2012, 2014, 2016), 2x UK Open champion (2015, 2016), 3x Grand Slam of Darts champion (2015, 2016, 2017), 4x European champion (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017), 4x Masters champion (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018), 4x Players Championship Finals champion (2013, 2015, 2016, 2017), 2x World Cup winner (2014, 2017) & over 100 PDC titles overall!
ROB CROSS FACTS
- Nickname: Voltage
- Date of Birth: 21/09/1990
- Nationality: English
- World Ranking: 3
- Walk-on music: Hot Hot Hot - Arrow
- Career highlights: World Champion (2018), European Championship runner-up (2017) four non-televised PDC titles
1915: It was interesting to hear Wayne Mardle agree with me on Sky Sports (although I very much down he knows my opinion!) that Michael Smith is a great bet at an insulting 14/1 to lift the trophy tonight.
He's really come of age at last this season and has more belief than ever that his time is now. Sometimes belief is all you need at the highest level.
1912: There's no time to listen to the last Sporting Life Darts Podcast of the Premier League season now (Rob Cross is just making his entrance) but do make a note to listen later as we do our own Oscar-style review of the season. You can then switch off for the predictions bit!
1910: If you've read my tips and John's predictions, you'll know we couldn't disagree more on how tonight's Premier League Play-Offs will unfold. In a nutchell I think Michael Smith (click to read) will triumph in a final against Rob Cross while John reckons Gary Anderson will shock MVG in the final (click to read). How close will either of us get?
1905: Fans of the Sporting Life Darts Podcast will know John Part and I get on like a house on fire. Except in Leeds...
1900: So who are you backing to win? If you're still undecided then you've come to the right place for some hints, tips and statistics to help make your mind up. You can click here for my own best bets and analysis or/and click here for John Part's predictions if you trust a more famous view! Below is some stats for both semi-finals, starting with MVG v Cross...
Semi-Final 1: Michael van Gerwen () v Rob Cross ()
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
- Overall: 10-2
- 2018 Premier League meetings
MVG 7-2 Cross - Night 1 (Click for report & stats)
Cross 2-7 MVG - Night 15 (Click for report & stats) - Other TV major meetings
MVG 5-6 Cross (sets) - World Champ SF, Dec '17
MVG 16-13 Cross - Grand Slam of Darts QF, Nov '17
MVG 5-4 Cross - Grand Slam of Darts Groups, Nov '17
MVG 10-4 Cross - World Series of Darts Finals QF, Nov '17
MVG 11-7 Cross - European Championship Final, Oct '17
MVG 9-5 Cross - UK Open last 32, March '16
PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS 2018 STATS
- League Position: First - Fourth
- Matches Won/Lost/Drawn: MVG 11-4-1 Cross 8-5-3
- Legs Won/Lost: 103/64 - 87/82
- 3-dart Average: 103.56 - 97.33
- 180s: 56 - 54
- 100+ checkouts: 19 - 11
- Highest checkout: 170 - 144
- Checkout %: 45.37% (103/227) - 44.85% (87/194)
(Scroll down for semi-final 2 stats)
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
- Overall: 3-9
- 2018 Premier League meetings
Anderson 5-7 Smith - Night 1 (Click here for report & stats)
Smith 2-7 Anderson - Night 12 (Click here for report & stats) - Other TV major meetings
Anderson 10-6 Smith - Grand Slam of Darts L16, Nov '17
Anderson 10-5 Smith - Champions League of Darts Gp, Sept '16
PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS 2018 STATS
- League Position: Second - Third
- Matches Won/Lost/Drawn: Smith 9-5-2 Anderson 8-5-3
- Legs Won/Lost: 90/66 - 95/80
- 3-dart Average: 95.21 - 99.11
- 180s: 41 - 57
- 100+ checkouts: 10 - 17
- Highest checkout: 160 - 170
- Checkout %: 42.45% (90/212) - 42.04% (95/226)
1855: Nobody has hit more 100+ checkouts in this season's Premier League than Michael van Gerwen (19) although Gary Anderson ran him close with 17.
The pair both managed the big fish of the 170 during a memorable campaign and they can be found in this cracking little compilation.
1850: MVG and Cross have had so many amazing matches in their relatively short history, and we should have known what was to come when they met for the first time in 2016...
1845: There's no harm reminding ourselves of that moment at the Ally Pally...
1830: Welcome to live coverage of the Premier League Darts Play-Offs with me Chris Hammer, as the four surviving players battle it out for one of the biggest prizes in the sport.
A fresh-looking line-up of 10 players - minus Phil Taylor for the first time in the competition's 13-year history - began their journeys at the start of February in Dublin, with four debutants hoping to make their mark.
Seventeen weeks later, only one of those is still here but it just so happens to be world champion Rob Cross, who recovered so well from a nightmare baptism of fire which saw him lose two matches.
In tonight's opening semi-final, Voltage faces the man he so famously defeated in the last four of his triumphant debut World Championship - Michael van Gerwen - but unsurprisingly he's the underdog once again at 7/2.
The rampant world number one (1/5 to beat Cross) has never lost a semi-final here having reached the last five finals and tonight he has burning ambitions to lift the trophy for a fourth time.
MVG also defeated Cross 7-2 in both of their Premier League meetings this season, so it will take a bold call to back a repeat of that Alexandra Palace showdown.
After that titanic battle, it's a clash between the 'mentor' and his 'protege' as two-time winner Gary Anderson (2/5) faces the 80/1 pre-tournament outsider Michael Smith (2/1), who finished a highly-impressive second in the regular season.
Before we continue our build up for tonight, here's our last year's unforgettable final concluded...
If we get that kind of drama tonight, we're in for a treat!
- Chris Hammer's best bets & statistics
- John Part's play-off predictions and tips
- Listen to the Sporting Life Darts Podcast
- Premier League Darts season results & table