Jonny Clayton went top of the 2022 Cazoo Premier League after claiming victory in Liverpool on Thursday, defeating Joe Cullen in the final.
The Night 2 final saw Clayton battle back from 3-1 down in the decider as he went on to secure the win 6-4 against Cullen, who had been beaten in his first Premier League match the week before.
Cullen began the brighter of the pair, as he raced in to a 3-1 lead over his opponent at a packed out M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool.
The defending champion fought back levelling the match at 3-3 before another break of throw saw Cullen wrestle back the initiative.
Clayton, who had finished Night One as the runner-up then went on to win the remaining three legs of the match to claim the win and pocket the £10,000 winners bonus.
“It means a lot to me to win in Liverpool, I support Liverpool FC so the city means a lot to me,” said Clayton.
“The atmosphere was absolutely fantastic, it’s a shame we have to leave!
“I didn’t play my best in the final but I got over the line and that’s what counts.
“The game against Michael was hard work, I had to be at my very best to win that one.
“I’m Premier League champion for a reason and I’ve got off to a good start this year, so long may it continue.”
The final victory was the end of a superb night for the Welshman, who began the evening by defeating Michael Smith 6-3 before recovering from 4-1 down to average 106 and defeat Michael van Gerwen, who averaged 105 himself, 6-4.
Gerwyn Price was the other man to reach the Semi-finals after defeating Gary Anderson 6-3 but came unstuck in the last four despite leading Joe Cullen 5-2.
Next Thursday sees the Premier League roadshow move on to Belfast for Night Three of the league phase, as Peter Wright takes on Gary Anderson in the pick of the quarter-final ties.
The night’s other matches will also see Michael Smith v Gerwyn Price, Joe Cullen v Michael van Gerwen and James Wade take on Night Two winner Jonny Clayton as the £1 million tournament continues at the M&S Bank Arena.
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The Cazoo Premier League is being broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, through the PDC’s worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV for Rest of the World Subscribers (excluding UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria & Switzerland).
2022 Cazoo Premier League
Night 2 – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
Thursday February 10
Quarter-Finals
Michael van Gerwen 6-1 Peter Wright
Jonny Clayton 6-3 Michael Smith
Joe Cullen 6-3 James Wade
Gerwyn Price 6-3 Gary Anderson
Semi-Finals
Jonny Clayton 6-4 Michael van Gerwen
Joe Cullen 6-5 Gerwyn Price
Final
Jonny Clayton 6-4 Joe Cullen
Night 3 – The SSE Arena, Belfast
Thursday February 17
Quarter-Finals
Michael Smith v Gerwyn Price
Joe Cullen v Michael van Gerwen
Gary Anderson v Peter Wrig
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