Michael van Gerwen has strengthened his grip on top spot in the Premier League with victory in Liverpool on Thursday night.
On the back of winning Weeks Four and Five, the defending champion held a six-point lead ahead of Week Six on Merseyside, and that advantage has now been extended.
Van Gerwen dd not have to be at his best to overcome Jonny Clayton and Peter Wright to set up a final with Michael Smith.
However, the showpiece proved to be a thriller, Van Gerwen building a 3-1 lead before Smith reeled off 12 and 11-dart legs to move in front.
MvG MAKES IT A HAT-TRICK! 🎩
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) March 9, 2023
Michael van Gerwen defeats Michael Smith 6-4 in the Night Six final in Liverpool!
He becomes the first player to win three PL nights in a row!
📺 https://t.co/kx9ccUNols | #PLDarts Final pic.twitter.com/JTIbPgHnvG
Nevertheless, Smith lost his rhythm in the eighth leg and never regained it as Van Gerwen recorded three successive legs to emerge victorious by a 6-4 scoreline.
Van Gerwen now holds an eight-point lead over Smith, whose win over Nathan Aspinall in the semi-finals ensured that he sits in second spot on his own.
Aspinall was able to move three points clear of Gerwyn Price after the Welshman suffered a 6-5 defeat to Peter Wright in the quarters, the Scotland representative winning his first match of the tournament.
Chris Dobey, the Week One champion, lost his first match of the night for the fifth successive week to stay in seventh, while Dimitri van den Bergh and Clayton remain outside of the top four.
Darren Plant
