'Dreadful' Michael van Gerwen suffers Premier League horror show as Gerwyn Price profits

Premier League Darts leader Michael van Gerwen produced an uncharacteristically dismal display as he was dumped out at the first hurdle in Berlin by Jonny Clayton.

Van Gerwen went into the German stop on the darting roadshow with an eight-point lead at the top of the table. However, the Dutchman was a shadow of his usual self against the Welshman, who was far from his best either.

Van Gerwen’s start to the match was akin to a pub player as he averaged in the low 70s. Clayton took the first two legs in 20 and 17 darts. Despite the scrappiness of his own performance, The Ferret was still averaging 10 points more than his opponent at one stage.

READ MORE: Gerwyn Price 'surprised' he can still eat fry-ups as form is put down to diet changes

During the match, commentator Dan Dawson described MVG’s consistently poor visits as "dreadful". In one leg, he missed a big number, 12, while one visit produced a no-score after three misses at double tops

He finally mustered his first maximum in the eighth leg and did improve as the match progressed, somehow taking a 5-4 lead as Clayton threatened to blow his big chance to get his campaign back on track. However, the Ferret held his nerve to take the final two legs and seal a scrappy 6-5 win. Any other result would have represented a massive missed opportunity for the 2021 Premier League champion.

Who will win the Premier League darts? Tell us in the comments section

Van Gerwen’s defeat allowed second-placed Gerwyn Price, the winner of the previous two Premier League nights, to close the gap. The in-form Iceman began his night with a 6-3 win over bottom-placed Peter Wright to set up a meeting with Clayton in the semi-finals.

Van Gerwen can still expect to find himself in the play-offs at the O2 in May though, as he remains well clear of the all-important fifth spot, with the top four going through after the league phase.

READ MORE:

Ending Phil Taylor's winning run is in James Wade top four darts moments at 40

Michael van Gerwen's 'filthy' finish even forces a fist bump out of Gerwyn Price

Rob Cross says 'I won't sign that s***' when presented with darts rival's shirt

Peter Wright surrenders 5-1 lead vs German underdog with darts fans left speechless

Martin Adams reduced to tears as darts fan makes incredible gesture to Trina Gulliver