Michael van Gerwen wins Premier League event for second successive week

Michael van Gerwen has won a Premier League event for the second week in succession courtesy of a 6-4 victory over Michael Smith in Brighton.

The Dutchman cruised to the week four title in Exeter last Thursday, but it was a different story this time around as he was made to fight his way through two of his three matches.

Having edged past James Wade in a last-leg decider in the quarter-finals, Van Gerwen thrashed Joe Cullen 6-1 in the last four, setting up a showdown with Smith who had defeated Gary Anderson and Jonny Clayton for the loss of just three legs.

Van Gerwen quickly established a 2-0 advantage in the final and it ultimately proved key as Smith never got closer than trailing by a solitary leg.

Smith hit his fifth 180 to keep the pressure on Van Gerwen in the 10th leg, but the world number five held his nerve to see off the UK Open runner-up.

Before Thursday's event, Gerwyn Price was forced to withdraw through a hand injury, handing Cullen a bye through to the semi-finals.