GARY ANDERSON was crowned as the 2015 Betway Premier League champion as he defeated Dave Chisnall and then Michael van Gerwen on an amazing night of Play-Offs action at The O2 in London.
The World Champion added the £200,000 first prize in the Betway Premier League to his ever-growing roll of honour as he recaptured the title he previously won in 2011 with two gritty, dramatic performances in front of 11,000 fans.
Anderson stared defeat in the face in his semi-final against Chisnall, who missed three match darts in a deciding leg before the Scot took out a brilliant 116 checkout to claim the narrowest of 10-9 victories.
He then produced a clinical display against world number one van Gerwen as an 11-7 triumph gave him the prestigious title following 16 weeks of action across the UK and Ireland.
"It's four years since I had my hands on this trophy and it means a lot," said Anderson, who becomes only the second player - behind Phil Taylor - to follow a World Championship win with the Premier League title.
"Dave's had a fantastic season and has been the best player in the league alongside Michael van Gerwen, who is hot property at the moment and won't lose too many tournaments, but he did tonight.
"Michael plays my kind of game, he's a fast player, he is a big scorer and finisher and he's one of the best in the world, and those are the games I like to play in.
"The 116 was a big shot to hit to win that semi-final. Chizzy had those three darts at 32 and missed and I took out the 116.
"It's usually me who misses the darts at a double and someone takes out a big shot to beat me but I'm taking my chances now, and it was the same in the final.
"It's a tough season and the standard now is amazing; it's so hard nowadays, so it's special to win this."
Anderson's semi-final had proven a tight affair, with the opening six legs shared before Chisnall - aided by a 152 checkout for a 12-darter, a 14-darter to break throw and a 13-dart leg - moved 6-3 up in the blink of an eye.
He also held a 7-4 advantage before Anderson hit back-to-back 14-darters in a three-leg burst of his own to level - only to then miss tops to break throw as Chisnall edged back ahead at 8-7.
Anderson finished tops to level before the duo traded 68 checkouts to send the game into a deciding leg, with Chisnall opening with a 180 only to miss three match darts at double 16, eight and four to allow the Scot in for a 116 checkout as he sneaked the victory.
The second semi-final proved equally dramatic as van Gerwen ended Raymond van Barneveld's proud defence of the title with a 10-8 triumph in a repeat of the 2014 final.
Van Gerwen landed a 121 finish for a 12-darter as the pair shared their opening eight legs before van Barneveld took three in a row to pull clear - missing double 12 for a nine-dart finish as he took out a ten-darter before then finishing 110 for a 7-4 cushion.
The world number one, though, hit back in amazing fashion by taking out a 127 finish for a 12-darter and legs of 11, 15, 11 and 15 darts to suddenly turn the game on its head and lead 9-7.
Van Barneveld landed his seventh 180 of the contest as he hit back in the next, but van Gerwen was first to a double in leg 18 as he fired in double four for the win.
The final proved an equally dramatic affair, with van Gerwen bursting into a 2-0 lead - despite back-to-back 180s from Anderson in leg two - before the World Champion kick-started his challenge with finishes of 64 and double five to level.
He then moved ahead with an 11-darter, and though van Gerwen finished 121 to level, the Scot then took the next four legs to move 7-3 up, punishing seven missed doubles from the Dutchman in one leg and two in another.
Van Gerwen hit back with an 11-darter before further misses allowed Anderson back for an 8-5 cushion, but two of the next three legs went to the 2013 Premier League champion as he pulled back to 9-7.
Anderson, though, took out a key 96 to halt his rival's charge before finishing 64 on tops to complete the triumph.
Van Gerwen said: "Gary played well and he's a fantastic player, but tonight Dave missed three match darts against him and I missed about five legs on my doubles so the luck was on his side tonight, and sometimes you need to have that.
"Gary's been playing really well so you can't afford to miss doubles against him. I'll have to practice on my doubles because I gave four or five legs away that I didn't need to lose, and that's why it hurts so much.
"This is one of the toughest titles to win and I know what it's like to win this, but this is twice in a row now I've lost in the final."
Chisnall had finished second in the league table in only his second season of the Betway Premier League, but was left to rue his three missed chances to win through to the final.
"I'm proud of my season but I'm so disappointed to lose in the semis," said Chisnall. "I should have won but that's how it goes.
"I thought that the last three darts at doubles were going to go in and they didn't, and Gary's 116 was brilliant. I didn't think he was going to hit it, but fair play to him.
"There was probably a little bit of pressure on my at the end there and I'm not used to that, but Gary is and that's why he's World Champion. It's great experience and I'm happy with how I played all season.
"I know what I can do, and it's just about doing it - and tonight I think I was unlucky but I'll move on from here."
Reigning champion van Barneveld had enjoyed an eight-game unbeaten run as went from narrowly avoiding elimination on Judgement Night to claiming fourth place in the final league table.
However, the Dutchman was left distraught after seeing van Gerwen surge to victory in their semi-final.
"It's all about winning," said the five-time World Champion. "Last year was my year and I was really happy with the Premier League title.
"I knew I'd have to play really well against Michael and at 7-4 I don't think I played that badly but Michael played better. He was just to good but I gave it my all."
PDC Exclusive Video - On The Wire, featuring Gary Anderson and Michael van Gerwen interviews
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Betway Premier League
Play-Offs, Thursday May 21
The O2, London
Semi-Finals
Gary Anderson 10-9 Dave Chisnall
Michael van Gerwen 10-8 Raymond van Barneveld
Best of 19 legs
Final
Gary Anderson 11-7 Michael van Gerwen
Best of 21 legs
MATCH INFORMATION
SEMI-FINALS
Dave Chisnall v Gary Anderson
1-0 - Chisnall fires in double two to win the opening leg with his fifth dart at a double.
1-1 - The pair trade 180s as Anderson levels with a 13-darter on double four.
2-1 - Chisnall opens with a 180 before taking out 91 on double 16.
2-2 - Double five sees Anderson hit back.
3-2 - Chisnall's 180 is followed by scores of 171 and 180 from Anderson, but the St Helens man holds throw to edge back ahead.
3-3 - Anderson hits back to level by taking out 100.
4-3 - Chisnall regains the lead with a sensational 152 checkout for a 12-darter.
5-3 - Chisnall breaks throw for the first time in the game, landing double 16 for a 14-dart finish.
6-3 - Misses at double 16 and double eight from Anderson prove costly as Chisnall moves three legs clear with a 13-dart finish.
6-4 - Double ten sees Anderson hit back.
7-4 - Chisnall returns from missing double 12 to finish 144 by landing the bed to move three legs clear again.
7-5 - Anderson fires in a 180 as he kick-starts his challenge.
7-6 - Anderson breaks for the first time, punishing a missed bull by Chisnall by landing double top.
7-7 - Anderson wins a third successive leg as he squares the contest.
8-7 - Chisnall fires in a 180, and recovers from missed doubles in two visits when Anderson is unable to land tops to take out 80, allowing him back on double four.
8-8 - Anderson opens with a 180 and finishes tops for an 11-darter to tie the game once more.
9-8 - Chisnall takes out 68 on double 16 to move a leg away from a place in the final.
9-9 - Anderson matches his rival's 68 finish to take the game into a deciding leg.
9-10 - Chisnall kicks off with his sixth 180 and Anderson follows with a 140, but the St Helens ace is first to a finish as he leaves 32 after 12 darts - only to miss double 16, eight and four - and the Scot coolly steps in to finish 116 on double top to snatch victory.
Dave Chisnall Video Interview
Match Stats
Michael van Gerwen v Raymond van Barneveld
0-1 - Double ten gives van Barneveld the opening leg.
1-1 - Both players land 180s before van Gerwen finishes 121 to level.
1-2 - van Gerwen's miss at double 18 allows the reigning champion back in on double eight.
2-2 - van Gerwen avoids a potential break of throw by landing double five.
2-3 - van Barneveld edges back ahead with the aid of a 180.
3-3 - van Gerwen lands a maximum of his own as he levels.
3-4 - van Barneveld finishes 64 on double four to hold throw.
4-4 - van Barneveld misses double 19 for a 158 finish as van Gerwen holds to level.
4-5 - The reigning champion once more holds throw to move in front.
4-6 - RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD MISSES DOUBLE 12 FOR A NINE-DARTER. The Dutchman lands two 180s but misses double 12 to complete the 141 combination, with van Gerwen then missing the bull to finish 161 to allow his rival back for a ten-darter.
4-7 - van Barneveld lands double 16 to hold throw and move three legs clear.
5-7 - van Gerwen follows a 180 with a 127 checkout to hit back.
6-7 - van Gerwen breaks throw on double 16.
7-7 - van Gerwen's charge continues as he levels with a brilliant 100 finish of two double tops.
8-7 - A 177 from the world number one is followed by a 180 from van Barneveld, but van Gerwen lands double 16 to amazingly move ahead with another break of throw.
9-7 - The pair trade 180s before van Gerwen takes out double eight for a fifth successive leg, moving himself to the brink of the final.
9-8 - van Barneveld opens with 140 and 180 before tops keeps his hopes alive.
10-8 - van Gerwen books his place in the final with a brilliant double four.
Raymond van Barneveld Video Interview
Match Stats
FINAL
Gary Anderson v Michael van Gerwen
0-1 - Anderson misses three darts at tops in the opening leg, allowing van Gerwen to take out double 18 for a 13-darter to break throw immediately.
0-2 - Anderson scores back-to-back 180s to leave 84, with van Gerwen hitting a maximum to leave 61 and then taking out the combination, stepping in after the Scot fails to leave a double when attempting his 84 combination.
1-2 - Anderson finishes 64 on tops to get off the mark.
2-2 - Double five sees Anderson break throw to leve.
3-2 - Both players hit 180s to leave two-dart finishes before anderson takes out 45 on tops for an 11-darter to move ahead with a third straight leg.
3-3 - Anderson lands a fourth 180 of the final, but van Gerwen takes out 121 on double 18 to level.
4-3 - Anderson fires in another maximum before taking out 64 on double eight.
5-3 - van Gerwen misses seven darts at a double to win a leg he dominates, with Anderson hitting a 180 to leave 56 before hitting tops to break and claim the leg.
6-3 - A rampant Anderson wins a sixth leg in seven, taking out 81 on double 13.
7-3 - van Gerwen lands his second 180 of the game, and when van Gerwen misses double 18 and nine the World Champion steps in double 16 to move four legs clear.
7-4 - van Gerwen finishes 72 to hit back with a break.
7-5 - The Dutchman reduces the gap to two legs with 81 for an 11-darter.
8-5 - Anderson punishes three missed doubles from van Gerwen by returning on double four.
8-6 - van Gerwen lands double 16 to take out 70.
9-6 - Anderson wires the bull for a 170 finish but returns on double 12.
9-7 - Anderson lands a 180 but two missed doubles allow van Gerwen back in.
10-7 - Anderson takes out 96 on double 18 to move a leg away from the title.
11-7 - Anderson wins the Betway Premier League title by taking out 64 on double top to claim the £200,000 title.
Match Stats
PLAY-OFFS BLOG
The World Champion added the £200,000 first prize in the Betway Premier League to his ever-growing roll of honour as he recaptured the title he previously won in 2011 with two gritty, dramatic performances in front of 11,000 fans.
Anderson stared defeat in the face in his semi-final against Chisnall, who missed three match darts in a deciding leg before the Scot took out a brilliant 116 checkout to claim the narrowest of 10-9 victories.
He then produced a clinical display against world number one van Gerwen as an 11-7 triumph gave him the prestigious title following 16 weeks of action across the UK and Ireland.
"It's four years since I had my hands on this trophy and it means a lot," said Anderson, who becomes only the second player - behind Phil Taylor - to follow a World Championship win with the Premier League title.
"Dave's had a fantastic season and has been the best player in the league alongside Michael van Gerwen, who is hot property at the moment and won't lose too many tournaments, but he did tonight.
"Michael plays my kind of game, he's a fast player, he is a big scorer and finisher and he's one of the best in the world, and those are the games I like to play in.
"The 116 was a big shot to hit to win that semi-final. Chizzy had those three darts at 32 and missed and I took out the 116.
"It's usually me who misses the darts at a double and someone takes out a big shot to beat me but I'm taking my chances now, and it was the same in the final.
"It's a tough season and the standard now is amazing; it's so hard nowadays, so it's special to win this."
Anderson's semi-final had proven a tight affair, with the opening six legs shared before Chisnall - aided by a 152 checkout for a 12-darter, a 14-darter to break throw and a 13-dart leg - moved 6-3 up in the blink of an eye.
He also held a 7-4 advantage before Anderson hit back-to-back 14-darters in a three-leg burst of his own to level - only to then miss tops to break throw as Chisnall edged back ahead at 8-7.
Anderson finished tops to level before the duo traded 68 checkouts to send the game into a deciding leg, with Chisnall opening with a 180 only to miss three match darts at double 16, eight and four to allow the Scot in for a 116 checkout as he sneaked the victory.
The second semi-final proved equally dramatic as van Gerwen ended Raymond van Barneveld's proud defence of the title with a 10-8 triumph in a repeat of the 2014 final.
Van Gerwen landed a 121 finish for a 12-darter as the pair shared their opening eight legs before van Barneveld took three in a row to pull clear - missing double 12 for a nine-dart finish as he took out a ten-darter before then finishing 110 for a 7-4 cushion.
The world number one, though, hit back in amazing fashion by taking out a 127 finish for a 12-darter and legs of 11, 15, 11 and 15 darts to suddenly turn the game on its head and lead 9-7.
Van Barneveld landed his seventh 180 of the contest as he hit back in the next, but van Gerwen was first to a double in leg 18 as he fired in double four for the win.
The final proved an equally dramatic affair, with van Gerwen bursting into a 2-0 lead - despite back-to-back 180s from Anderson in leg two - before the World Champion kick-started his challenge with finishes of 64 and double five to level.
He then moved ahead with an 11-darter, and though van Gerwen finished 121 to level, the Scot then took the next four legs to move 7-3 up, punishing seven missed doubles from the Dutchman in one leg and two in another.
Van Gerwen hit back with an 11-darter before further misses allowed Anderson back for an 8-5 cushion, but two of the next three legs went to the 2013 Premier League champion as he pulled back to 9-7.
Anderson, though, took out a key 96 to halt his rival's charge before finishing 64 on tops to complete the triumph.
Van Gerwen said: "Gary played well and he's a fantastic player, but tonight Dave missed three match darts against him and I missed about five legs on my doubles so the luck was on his side tonight, and sometimes you need to have that.
"Gary's been playing really well so you can't afford to miss doubles against him. I'll have to practice on my doubles because I gave four or five legs away that I didn't need to lose, and that's why it hurts so much.
"This is one of the toughest titles to win and I know what it's like to win this, but this is twice in a row now I've lost in the final."
Chisnall had finished second in the league table in only his second season of the Betway Premier League, but was left to rue his three missed chances to win through to the final.
"I'm proud of my season but I'm so disappointed to lose in the semis," said Chisnall. "I should have won but that's how it goes.
"I thought that the last three darts at doubles were going to go in and they didn't, and Gary's 116 was brilliant. I didn't think he was going to hit it, but fair play to him.
"There was probably a little bit of pressure on my at the end there and I'm not used to that, but Gary is and that's why he's World Champion. It's great experience and I'm happy with how I played all season.
"I know what I can do, and it's just about doing it - and tonight I think I was unlucky but I'll move on from here."
Reigning champion van Barneveld had enjoyed an eight-game unbeaten run as went from narrowly avoiding elimination on Judgement Night to claiming fourth place in the final league table.
However, the Dutchman was left distraught after seeing van Gerwen surge to victory in their semi-final.
"It's all about winning," said the five-time World Champion. "Last year was my year and I was really happy with the Premier League title.
"I knew I'd have to play really well against Michael and at 7-4 I don't think I played that badly but Michael played better. He was just to good but I gave it my all."
PDC Exclusive Video - On The Wire, featuring Gary Anderson and Michael van Gerwen interviews
SEE A LIVE BLOG BELOW & LEG-BY-LEG INFORMATION
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Get Involved online through the PDC's Social Media Channels
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Betway Premier League
Play-Offs, Thursday May 21
The O2, London
Semi-Finals
Gary Anderson 10-9 Dave Chisnall
Michael van Gerwen 10-8 Raymond van Barneveld
Best of 19 legs
Final
Gary Anderson 11-7 Michael van Gerwen
Best of 21 legs
MATCH INFORMATION
SEMI-FINALS
Dave Chisnall v Gary Anderson
1-0 - Chisnall fires in double two to win the opening leg with his fifth dart at a double.
1-1 - The pair trade 180s as Anderson levels with a 13-darter on double four.
2-1 - Chisnall opens with a 180 before taking out 91 on double 16.
2-2 - Double five sees Anderson hit back.
3-2 - Chisnall's 180 is followed by scores of 171 and 180 from Anderson, but the St Helens man holds throw to edge back ahead.
3-3 - Anderson hits back to level by taking out 100.
4-3 - Chisnall regains the lead with a sensational 152 checkout for a 12-darter.
5-3 - Chisnall breaks throw for the first time in the game, landing double 16 for a 14-dart finish.
6-3 - Misses at double 16 and double eight from Anderson prove costly as Chisnall moves three legs clear with a 13-dart finish.
6-4 - Double ten sees Anderson hit back.
7-4 - Chisnall returns from missing double 12 to finish 144 by landing the bed to move three legs clear again.
7-5 - Anderson fires in a 180 as he kick-starts his challenge.
7-6 - Anderson breaks for the first time, punishing a missed bull by Chisnall by landing double top.
7-7 - Anderson wins a third successive leg as he squares the contest.
8-7 - Chisnall fires in a 180, and recovers from missed doubles in two visits when Anderson is unable to land tops to take out 80, allowing him back on double four.
8-8 - Anderson opens with a 180 and finishes tops for an 11-darter to tie the game once more.
9-8 - Chisnall takes out 68 on double 16 to move a leg away from a place in the final.
9-9 - Anderson matches his rival's 68 finish to take the game into a deciding leg.
9-10 - Chisnall kicks off with his sixth 180 and Anderson follows with a 140, but the St Helens ace is first to a finish as he leaves 32 after 12 darts - only to miss double 16, eight and four - and the Scot coolly steps in to finish 116 on double top to snatch victory.
Dave Chisnall Video Interview
Match Stats
| Dave Chisnall | 9-10 | Gary Anderson |
| 19 | 100+ | 28 |
| 11 | 140+ | 6 |
| 1 | 170+ | 1 |
| 6 | 180 | 6 |
| 98.34 | Average | 98.40 |
| 152 | High Finish | 116 |
| 1 | Breaks of Throw | 2 |
| 9/27 - 33% | Checkout % | 10/21 - 48% |
Michael van Gerwen v Raymond van Barneveld
0-1 - Double ten gives van Barneveld the opening leg.
1-1 - Both players land 180s before van Gerwen finishes 121 to level.
1-2 - van Gerwen's miss at double 18 allows the reigning champion back in on double eight.
2-2 - van Gerwen avoids a potential break of throw by landing double five.
2-3 - van Barneveld edges back ahead with the aid of a 180.
3-3 - van Gerwen lands a maximum of his own as he levels.
3-4 - van Barneveld finishes 64 on double four to hold throw.
4-4 - van Barneveld misses double 19 for a 158 finish as van Gerwen holds to level.
4-5 - The reigning champion once more holds throw to move in front.
4-6 - RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD MISSES DOUBLE 12 FOR A NINE-DARTER. The Dutchman lands two 180s but misses double 12 to complete the 141 combination, with van Gerwen then missing the bull to finish 161 to allow his rival back for a ten-darter.
4-7 - van Barneveld lands double 16 to hold throw and move three legs clear.
5-7 - van Gerwen follows a 180 with a 127 checkout to hit back.
6-7 - van Gerwen breaks throw on double 16.
7-7 - van Gerwen's charge continues as he levels with a brilliant 100 finish of two double tops.
8-7 - A 177 from the world number one is followed by a 180 from van Barneveld, but van Gerwen lands double 16 to amazingly move ahead with another break of throw.
9-7 - The pair trade 180s before van Gerwen takes out double eight for a fifth successive leg, moving himself to the brink of the final.
9-8 - van Barneveld opens with 140 and 180 before tops keeps his hopes alive.
10-8 - van Gerwen books his place in the final with a brilliant double four.
Raymond van Barneveld Video Interview
Match Stats
| Michael van Gerwen | 10-8 | Raymond van Barneveld |
| 24 | 100+ | 23 |
| 11 | 140+ | 12 |
| 1 | 170+ | 1 |
| 6 | 180 | 7 |
| 106.44 | Average | 100.44 |
| 127 | High Finish | 110 |
| 2 | Breaks of Throw | 1 |
| 10/20 - 50% | Checkout % | 8/19 - 42% |
FINAL
Gary Anderson v Michael van Gerwen
0-1 - Anderson misses three darts at tops in the opening leg, allowing van Gerwen to take out double 18 for a 13-darter to break throw immediately.
0-2 - Anderson scores back-to-back 180s to leave 84, with van Gerwen hitting a maximum to leave 61 and then taking out the combination, stepping in after the Scot fails to leave a double when attempting his 84 combination.
1-2 - Anderson finishes 64 on tops to get off the mark.
2-2 - Double five sees Anderson break throw to leve.
3-2 - Both players hit 180s to leave two-dart finishes before anderson takes out 45 on tops for an 11-darter to move ahead with a third straight leg.
3-3 - Anderson lands a fourth 180 of the final, but van Gerwen takes out 121 on double 18 to level.
4-3 - Anderson fires in another maximum before taking out 64 on double eight.
5-3 - van Gerwen misses seven darts at a double to win a leg he dominates, with Anderson hitting a 180 to leave 56 before hitting tops to break and claim the leg.
6-3 - A rampant Anderson wins a sixth leg in seven, taking out 81 on double 13.
7-3 - van Gerwen lands his second 180 of the game, and when van Gerwen misses double 18 and nine the World Champion steps in double 16 to move four legs clear.
7-4 - van Gerwen finishes 72 to hit back with a break.
7-5 - The Dutchman reduces the gap to two legs with 81 for an 11-darter.
8-5 - Anderson punishes three missed doubles from van Gerwen by returning on double four.
8-6 - van Gerwen lands double 16 to take out 70.
9-6 - Anderson wires the bull for a 170 finish but returns on double 12.
9-7 - Anderson lands a 180 but two missed doubles allow van Gerwen back in.
10-7 - Anderson takes out 96 on double 18 to move a leg away from the title.
11-7 - Anderson wins the Betway Premier League title by taking out 64 on double top to claim the £200,000 title.
Match Stats
| Gary Anderson | 11-7 | Michael van Gerwen |
| 16 | 100+ | 19 |
| 22 | 140+ | 21 |
| 0 | 170+ | 1 |
| 7 | 180 | 3 |
| 104.85 | Average | 105.81 |
| 96 | High Finish | 121 |
| 4 | Breaks of Throw | 2 |
| 11/22 - 50% | Checkout % | 7/22 - 32% |
PLAY-OFFS BLOG