Jonny Clayton downs Michael van Gerwen to return to the top of the Premier League table
- Planet Sport writer
- 22 April 2022
Clayton cements his spot in the race for the play-offs by winning week 11.
Defending champion Jonny Clayton returned to the top of the Premier League table after producing a stunning night of darts in Aberdeen.
It was the third week that 'The Ferret' has won in the newly revamped competition this season, and it was enough to hauled him above Michael van Gerwen to the summit of the table.
Clayton started off with a dominant 6-2 win over Gary Anderson, who remains rooted to the bottom of the table.
World number one Peter Wright was next for Clayton in the semi-finals, and he was able to come out on top 6-5 to set up a final clash with van Gerwen.
The Dutchman beat Gerwyn Price in the quarter-finals and James Wade, who had reached the previous four finals, in the last four.
Van Gerwen looked to be in a great position to win what would have been his fourth week when he went 4-2 ahead in the final, but Clayton battled back to win it 6-5.
"By Night 16 I don't care where I am as long as I'm in the top four," said Clayton, who also won in Liverpool and Birmingham.
"The crowd were on my back all night as you'd expect with playing two Scottish guys but I got on with it.
🏆 CLAYTON TOPS THE TABLE! 🏴
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) April 21, 2022
Jonny Clayton makes it a hat-trick of night wins!
The reigning champion prevails in Aberdeen, averaging 103 in the final to defeat Michael van Gerwen in a deciding leg!#CazooPL pic.twitter.com/mcOsLBQB2u
"I did my job in the last leg and pulled through to win it. To beat Michael puts a smile on my face.
"Every time Michael and I play it's a good game. There have been a lot of times when I've stood behind Michael and lost 6-0 or 6-1 but you pick little things up off him to improve your game."
The Premier League goes to Dublin next week, where Clayton will play Wright in the quarter-finals in what could be a crucial match in the race for the play-offs.
