Michael van Gerwen moves to top of Premier League table after beating Phil Taylor

The gripping match was evenly poised at three legs each before van Gerwen upped his game to pull away as Taylor’s doubles game deserted him.

After seven successive breaks of throw, the turning point came in that eighth leg when Van Gerwen fired a 180 on his way to a 10 dart leg.

Speaking after the match van Gerwen said: “I could not wish for any better tonight. We were both struggling in the beginning and couldn’t hold our own throw.

“I just told myself to do the right thing at the right moment. At the end. Phil missed a couple of doubles at the end and I‘m just really glad to beat the man himself, Phil Taylor.

“I enjoy beating anyone, the winning dart is the most important one and it does not matter who it is against.

“To defeat Phil Taylor, on a stage like this, and go top of the Premier League feels extra good. You just want to play as good as possivble every time

“I knew from the eight league that I was not going to lose the match, maybe it would be a draw but I knew for sure I would not lose.”

Previous leaders Dave Chisnall was knocked off top spot as Stephen Bunting kept up his good recent form to secure a 7-3 win.