Van Gerwen beats De Sousa in Premier League

Wim Blokpoel - Yesterday night it was time for night 15 of the 2021 Premier League Darts. Michael van Gerwen was top of the league after 14 nights, and tonight he played  Portugese José de Sousa in the final match of the night. De Sousa had already qualified for the play-offs as well, but the match was still important for the battle of top spot.

Van Gerwen had a tough start as De Sousa took the lead with an 18-darter and went 1-0 up. 14, 13 and 14 darts then to hold throw for both and it was 2-2 in a good game so far. 2-2 became 3-3 and there was absolutely nothing between the 2 of them. I has the feeling it would be another draw, just like the 2 games before this game. A 13-darter from the special one followed by a 13 darter from Mighty Mike and if was 4-4. But then the first break of throw came: MVG hit an incredible 12-darter, and then held throw to make it a valid break and take a 6-4 lead. A 14-darter from MVG for another break of throw: winning streak of 4 legs and 7-4: MVG had the first point. The Dutchman only had to hold throw now but then De Sousa broke it in 15 darts, and then held throw in just 11 darts with MVG all the way back on 301. 7-6 now, and MVG had to held throw in the deciding leg to get the second point as well. De Sousa went on to miss Double 20 for the draw, MVG took his changes and it was 8-6 for MVG. A draw might have been fair, but MVG always takes his changes when he gets them in form. Tonight Van Gerwen will take on Peter Wright and if MVG manages to get at least a draw that secures him top of the Premier League, just like in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. 

Michael van Gerwen 8-6 José de Sousa

Averages: 

Michael van Gerwen. 98,6

José de Sousa. 100,8

Shortest leg:

Van Gerwen. 12-darter

De Sousa. 11-darter