Michael van Gerwen eases past Raymond van Barneveld in Premier League

Michael van Gerwen has comfortably defeated Raymond van Barneveld in Manchester to maintain first place in the Premier League table.

The world number one missed double 12 for a nine-darter but he averaged almost 108 in a 7-2 victory over his fellow Dutchman.

Phil Taylor remains level on points with his rival after a routine 7-2 win over Adrian Lewis, with the pair meeting in the final league fixture in Rotterdam next Thursday to decide who will finish in first place ahead of the playoffs.

Gary Anderson has guaranteed third position with a 7-1 win over Robert Thornton, while Peter Wright has kept his hopes of a top-four finish alive with a 7-1 rout of James Wade.