Premier League Darts round-up: MVG held by Adrian Lewis

Both men averaged over 100 in a high-quality affair which also saw Jackpot produce the standout moment of the match when nailing a 170 checkout as he threatened a shock victory.

MVG went close for a 170 of his own when leading 6-5 but he narrowly missed the bull and Lewis capitalised by nailing double 12 to earn a share of the spoils.

Van Gerwen remains unbeaten but it's the second draw he's been involved in this season having been held by Gary Anderson in week one. 

Anderson was also involved in his second draw as the unbeaten James Wade won the final leg to earn a point.

The Flying Scotsman, who lost to Peter Wright last week, was facing back-to-back defeats when he trailed 5-2 but the Machine's impressive finishing then desserted him as Anderson won four legs in succession.

Phil Taylor also remains unbeaten after battling back from 6-4 down to rescue a point against Kim Huybrechts in the third draw of the night.

Raymond van Barneveld ended the night in style with a 140 checkout as he too salvaged a 6-6 draw in his clash with Peter Wright.

The only victory at The Brighton Centre came in the night's opener, as Jelle Klaasen earned his first points of the season with an impressive 7-3 triumph over Dave Chisnall.

Below is a full statistical breakdown of each match while we also rank the players' performances at the bottom of this article as well as provide the updated Premier League table. 

Dave Chisnall 3-7 Jelle Klaasen 

Jelle Klaasen claimed his first win of the 2017 Betway Premier League season with an impressive 7-3 victory over Dave Chisnall.

The Dutchman headed into the fourth week of the competition in Brighton at the foot of the table with three successive defeats but the manner of this victory boosts his hopes of avoiding relegation at Judgement Night on March 30.

Klaasen averaged almost 99 and hit four 180s while his finishing was also of a high standard as he hit seven of his 15 attempts at doubles.

The highlight of the match came in the seventh leg when Klaasen fired a superb 152 checkout and followed that up with one from 85 for a 6-2 lead.

Jelle Klaasen told www.pdc.tv: "I'm happy with the win and I feel good. In the first three weeks I didn't play badly but I missed a few chances, but I've practised a lot on my doubles - I've tried to go more for tops and double 16 - and it worked today.

"It's good to get away from zero points. I'm still not where I want to be, and on stage I still need to get some more confidence and I have to play a lot better to stay in the league.

"Tonight that worked out, and before the game I knew that I had to take something from this match. I've got two points and I'm feeling good, and I want to stay in the top eight and then try to qualify for the semi-finals." 

Three-dart averages
Chisnall: 93.28
Klaasen: 98.9

SCORING:
100+ thrown
Chisnall: 14
Klaasen: 14
140+ thrown
Chisnall: 5
Klaasen: 4
180+ thrown
Chisnall: 0
Klaasen: 4 

CHECKOUTS
100+ checkouts
Chisnall: NA
Klaasen: 152

Checkout percentage
Chisnall: 27.27% (3/11)
Klaasen: 46.67% (7/15)  

Michael van Gerwen 6-6 Adrian Lewis

World number one Michael van Gerwen was held to a 6-6 draw by Adrian Lewis in a thrilling Premier League clash in Brighton.

The defending champion opened with an 11-darter but then trailed 4-2 as Jackpot raised the roof by landing a superb 170 checkout but he took the next two legs to restore parity.

Lewis edged back in front as he threatend a shock only for MVG to win back-to-back legs to move one away from his third win of the season.

Van Gerwen went close for a 170 of his own but he narrowly missed the bull and Lewis capitalised by nailing double 12 to earn a well deserved share of the spoils.

The Dutchman remains unbeaten but it's the second draw he's been involved in this season having been held by Gary Anderson in week one. 

 "I didn't play too badly but I missed a few things here and there, and you're not allowed to do that, especially against Adrian," said Van Gerwen.

"I started off really well but I didn't feel great today, I've had a bit of a cold and my focus wasn't really there - but you have to do it with your arm and your head. At least I got a point and I can't complain too much."

Lewis said: "I thought I did quite well at the end to get a point. I thought I had the chance to run away with it but I didn't take my opportunities, that's down to a lack of confidence I think.

"Results haven't really been going my way as such, but hopefully I'm on the turn now. I could have got a lot more out of the game - 12 months ago I'd have put the game to bed but today I didn't, but he showed his quality and that's why he's world number one." 

Three-dart averages
Van Gerwen: 104.67
Lewis: 101.2

SCORING:
100+ thrown
Van Gerwen: 11
Lewis: 16
140+ thrown
Van Gerwen: 11
Lewis: 13
180+ thrown
Van Gerwen: 4
Lewis: 1

CHECKOUTS
100+ checkouts
Van Gerwen: 116
Lewis: 170

Checkout percentage
Van Gerwen: 37.5% (6/16)
Lewis: 42.86? (6/14) 

Gary Anderson 6-6 James Wade

James Wade won the final leg of a 6-6 draw with Gary Anderson as he maintained his unbeaten start to the Premier League season.

The Machine was well on course for victory when leading 5-2 but his impressive finishing then desserted him at the crunch time as Anderson, who lost to Peter Wright last week, stormed back to win four legs in succession.

 "It's a good point and from 5-1 down I'm over the moon to get a draw," said Anderson. "I was out-scoring James at the start but I couldn't hit a double, and you know that if you miss he's going to take his chances.

"It's hard to play against that but I clawed it back and got the draw. I'd have felt a bit guilty if I'd won that, but it's a point. There's a long way to go but I enjoyed it tonight."

Wade said: "It feels like a loss and I wasn't good enough. I'm annoyed but Gary did what he needed to do at the right times." 

Three-dart averages
Anderson: 96.8
Wade: 89.61

SCORING:
100+ thrown
Anderson: 14
Wade: 24
140+ thrown
Anderson: 8
Wade: 8
180+ thrown
Anderson: 3
Wade: 0 

CHECKOUTS
100+ checkouts
Anderson: 121
Wade: 110, 100

Checkout percentage
Anderson: 31.58% (6/19)
Wade: 30% (6/20) 

Phil Taylor 6-6 Kim Huybrechts

Phil Taylor remains unbeaten in the Premier League this season after he battled back from 6-4 down to earn a draw with Kim Huybrechts, who was bitterly disappointed not to claim his first win.

The Belgian kicked off proceedings with a 110 checkout and was never behind in a contest he controlled until the very end. 

A superb finish from 140 prompted a pumped up celebration from Huybrechts while another clinical checkout from 87 ensured he wouldn't be beaten by the 16-time world champion.

But at 6-5 up, he missed two darts at a double before Taylor held his nerve to snatch a point.

"It was a point gained," said Taylor. "He had a shot and he missed, but he played well. I wasn't quite on song tonight but I plodded on and tried my best.

"I didn't play as well as I can do, but the key thing was getting another point. I'm trying to qualify for the Play-Offs and it's all about that and getting the points."

Huybrechts said: "I'm disappointed. I missed some important doubles, he did as well, but I think I should have won that game.

"Phil's the 16-time World Champion, I've never beaten him on stage and I had my chances but I blew it. I was very nervous but it was my own fault. It's still a learning curve for me but I'm getting there."

Three-dart averages
Taylor: 97.68
Huybrechts: 94.68

SCORING:
100+ thrown
Taylor: 14
Huybrechts: 16
140+ thrown
Taylor: 10
Huybrechts: 7
180+ thrown
Taylor: 3
Huybrechts: 2 

CHECKOUTS
100+ checkouts
Taylor: NA
Huybrechts: 140, 110

Checkout percentage
Taylor: 35.29% (6/17)
Huybrechts: 46.15% (6/13) 

Raymond van Barneveld 6-6 Peter Wright

Peter Wright remains a point behind the top three following his draw with Raymond van Barneveld, who took out a brilliant 140 checkout to grab a point from their south coast contest.

A tight contest saw the opening eight legs shared before Wright broke for the first time to lead 5-4, before double eight ensured a minimum of a point.

Van Barneveld landed two 180s in a 13-darter to keep his hopes alive in leg 11, and then produced a majestic 140 finish on double ten to share the points.

"I'm happy with a draw after being 6-4 down," conceded Van Barneveld. "He let me in and it was a fantastic 12 darts with the 140 finish at the end."

Wright admitted: "I had my chances but didn't take them. It's always difficult against Raymond and he showed that with the 12-darter against the throw in the last leg."

Three-dart averages
Van Barneveld: 103.4
Wright: 95.87

SCORING:
100+ thrown
Van Barneveld: 11
Wright: 15
140+ thrown
Van Barneveld: 12
Wright: 11
180+ thrown
Van Barneveld: 4
Wright: 3 

CHECKOUTS
100+ checkouts
Van Barneveld: 140
Wright: NA

Checkout percentage
Van Barneveld: 37.5% (6/16)
Wright: 30% (6/20) 

Premier League Darts 2017 Table

Michael van Gerwen P 4 W 2 D 2 L 0 LegDiff +7 Pts 6
Phil Taylor P 4 W 2 D 2 L 0 LegDiff +7 Pts 6
James Wade P 4 W 2 D 2 L 0 LegDiff +5 Pts 6
Peter Wright P 4 W 2 D 1 L 1 LegDiff +1 Pts 5
Gary Anderson P 4 W 1 D 2 L 1 LegDiff +2 Pts 4
Raymond van Barneveld P 4 W 1 D 2 L 1 LegDiff -1 Pts 4
Adrian Lewis P 4 W 1 D 1 L 2 LegDiff 0 Pts 3
Kim Huybrechts P 4 W 0 D 2 L 2 LegDiff -5 Pts 2
Jelle Klaasen P 4 W 1 D 0 L 3 LegDiff -6 Pts 2
Dave Chisnall P 4 W 1 D 0 L 3 LegDiff -10 Pts 2  

Premier League Darts Week Four: Statistics

Three-dart averages
Michael van Gerwen:  104.67
Raymond van Barneveld: 103.4
Adrian Lewis:  101.2
Jelle Klaasen:   98.9
Phil Taylor:  97.68
Gary Anderson:  96.8
Peter Wright: 95.87
Kim Huybrechts:  94.68
Dave Chisnall:  93.28
James Wade:  89.61 

180s Thrown
Raymond van Barneveld: 4
Michael van Gerwen: 4
Jelle Klaasen: 4
Peter Wright: 3
Gary Anderson: 3
Phil Taylor: 3
Kim Huybrechts: 2
Adrian Lewis: 1
James Wade: 0
Dave Chisnall: 0 

Checkouts over 100
Adrian Lewis: 170
Kim Huybrechts: 140
Jelle Klaasen: 152
Raymond van Barneveld: 140
Gary Anderson: 121
Michael van Gerwen: 116
James Wade: 110
Kim Huybrechts: 110
James Wade: 100

Checkout percentages
Jelle Klaasen:  46.67% (7/15)
Kim Huybrechts: 46.15% (6/13)
Adrian Lewis:  42.86? (6/14) 
Michael van Gerwen:  37.5% (6/16)
Raymond van Barneveld:  37.5% (6/16)
Phil Taylor:  35.29% (6/17)
Gary Anderson:  31.58% (6/19)
James Wade:  30% (6/20)
Peter Wright:  30% (6/20)   
Dave Chisnall:  27.27% (3/11) 

Premier League: Next week's fixtures

Night Five, Thursday March 2
Westpoint Arena, Exeter
TV Coverage: Sky Sports 1 (1900 GMT)
Dave Chisnall v Raymond van Barneveld
Jelle Klaasen v Kim Huybrechts
Gary Anderson v Phil Taylor
Michael van Gerwen v James Wade
Adrian Lewis v Peter Wright
Tickets: 08444 99 99 55 or via www.ticketzone.co.uk