Darts results: Michael van Gerwen wins a record-breaking seventh Premier League Darts title

The Dutchman, who lifted the trophy 12 months ago to draw level with Phil Taylor on six crowns, defied a shoulder injury to average 101 in his 10-8 semi-final over world champion Michael Smith before putting his great rival to the sword in a disappointingly one-sided climax to the 17-week season.

Price topped the regular season and then thrashed Jonny Clayton 10-2 in the first of Thursday night's semi-final with a sensational average of 107.54 but he couldn't reproduce that A-game against MVG.

The Iceman averaged 99.5 compared to his opponent's 105.43 while van Gerwen also managed huge checkouts of 170, 150 and 128 as well as hitting five of the seven 180s in the match.

It's the 46th individual major trophy of MVG's incredible career, which has also seen him win three world titles and three World Matchplays.

“It feels amazing,” admitted Van Gerwen, who scoops the £275,000 top prize.

“We all know Gerwyn Price is in fantastic form. Michael Smith had won three of the last four weeks and I had been questioned about my form, and today it motivated me.

“You always have to peak at the right moments, and when you’re at The O2 competing against Michael Smith and Gerwyn Price, you have to perform at your A-game.

“I think I played some fantastic darts today, and what more can I wish for, to win this trophy for a seventh time.

“I had to produce something special and I’m really glad I did. Everyone knows I had [injury] problems last week, and I worked really hard for this.

“I’m not done yet. I love what I do, and there’s more to come.”

The opening five legs of Thursday’s decider went with throw, but Van Gerwen struck the first decisive blow in leg six, producing a magnificent 170 checkout to move into a 4-2 lead.

The Dutch superstar refused to relent as he extended his advantage to 7-2, following up a 13-dart hold with an effortless 128 finish to continue his charge towards the title.

Price stopped the rot in sensational style, conjuring up a brilliant 161 on the bull before reducing the deficit to 4-7 after Van Gerwen uncharacteristically squandered four darts at a double.

However, Van Gerwen restored his five-leg buffer after Price missed double 12 for 144 and 98 checkouts, and a spectacular 150 checkout moved the reigning champion to the brink of victory.

Price had the opportunity to extend the contest in leg 16, but the Welshman paid the price for missing two darts at tops and tens, and Van Gerwen duly capitalised to cap off a dominant performance.

“I couldn’t find anything, but that’s how it goes sometimes,” reflected Price, who was featuring in his maiden Premier League final.

“I felt like this is one that got away, because I’m playing some of the best darts I’ve ever played.

“I was missing some targets by such a long way, I wasn’t even close. I’m not sure what happened, but congratulations to Michael.”

Earlier in the night, Price averaged over 107 to dispatch his World Cup partner Jonny Clayton, converting a stunning 131 checkout to wrap up an emphatic 10-2 victory.

Table-topper Price kicked off Thursday’s action with an 11-dart hold, racing into a 5-0 lead before 2021 champion Clayton opened his account in leg six.

Price then extended his cushion with a three-leg burst of 12, 14 and 11-dart legs, before capping off an imperious display with a sensational 131 finish, culminating with a brace of double 20s.

In the second semi-final, Van Gerwen defied a late rally from Smith to progress to a record-breaking ninth Premier League final, averaging 101 to celebrate a dramatic 10-8 success.

Smith drew first blood with a superb 128 checkout, but a ruthless five-leg spell from Van Gerwen propelled the Dutchman into a 6-2 lead.

The World Champion responded with 114, 86, 91 and 123 combinations in the latter stages, but Van Gerwen’s superior scoring power saw him progress to a record-breaking ninth Premier League final.

Van Gerwen - who now sets his sights on US Darts Masters glory in New York next week – pockets £305,000 in total from this year’s Premier League, with three nightly wins earning him a £30,000 bonus in addition to the £275,000 top prize.

Price, meanwhile, claimed £125,000 as runner-up, and also walks away with a further £40,000 in bonus prize money, having remarkably featured in ten finals across the 17 nights.

Smith’s four nightly wins during the season boosted his £85,000 prize money to a total of £125,000, while Clayton earned £105,000 after featuring in the Play-Offs for a third consecutive campaign.

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN ROLL OF HONOUR

• 3x World Champion (2014, 2017, 2019)
• 3x World Matchplay champion (2015, 2016, 2022)
• 7x Premier League champion (2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023)
• 6x World Grand Prix champion (2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022)
• 3x UK Open champion (2015, 2016, 2020)
• 3x Grand Slam of Darts champion (2015, 2016, 2017)
• 4x European champion (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)
• 5x Masters champion (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
• 7x Players Championship Finals champion ( 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2022)
• 4x World Series of Darts Finals winner (2015, 2016, 2017, 2019)
• 1x Champions League of Darts (2019)
• 3x World Cup winner (2014, 2017, 2018)

Premier League Darts Past Finals & Winners

• 2005 - Phil Taylor 16-4 Colin Lloyd
• 2006 - Phil Taylor 16-6 Roland Scholten
• 2007 - Phil Taylor 16-8 Terry Jenkins
• 2008 - Phil Taylor 16-8 James Wade
• 2009 - James Wade 13-8 Mervyn King
• 2010 - Phil Taylor 10-8 James Wade
• 2011 - Gary Anderson 10-4 Adrian Lewis
• 2012 - Phil Taylor 10-7 Simon Whitlock
• 2013 - Michael van Gerwen 10-8 Phil Taylor
• 2014 - Raymond van Barneveld 10-6 Michael van Gerwen
• 2017 - Michael van Gerwen 11-10 Peter Wright
• 2018 - Michael van Gerwen 11-4 Michael Smith
• 2019 - Michael van Gerwen 11-5 Rob Cross
• 2020 - Glen Durrant 11-8 Nathan Aspinall
• 2021 - Jonny Clayton 11-5 Jose de Sousa
• 2022 - Michael van Gerwen 11-10 Joe Cullen

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