Clayton Triumphant in Liverpool 

Jonny Clayton climbed to the top of the 2022 Cazoo Premier League standings after defeating Joe Cullen in the final in Liverpool on Thursday.

Clayton fought back from a 3-1 deficit in the finale to triumph 6-4 over the Premier League newcomer in the Night 2 final.

Cullen, who had lost in his quarter-final match in Cardiff a week ago, started the final the brighter of the two, racing to a 3-1 lead in front of a bumper crowd at the M&S Bank Arena.

The defending Premier League champion fought back, levelling the match after six legs before another break of throw saw Cullen wrestle back the initiative.

 Clayton – who had finished Night 1 as runner-up to Peter Wright – then went on to win the next three legs, capitalising on Cullen’s missed doubles 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 van Gerwen 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 triumph capped off a fantastic night for the Welshman, who beat Michael Smith 6-3 in the quarterfinals before rebounding from a 4-1 deficit in the semis to average 106 and overcome Michael van Gerwen 6-4.

Van Gerwen had beaten World Champion Peter Wright 6-1 in the quarter-finals, improving on his 103 average with a 105 average in a thrilling semi-final against Clayton, only to be eliminated.

After overcoming Gary Anderson 6-3, Gerwyn Price was the second man to reach the final four, but after leading Cullen 5-2, the world number one came unstuck in the last four.

Cullen also overcame James Wade in Liverpool, giving the Masters champion his first Premier League victories.

 

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 Wright

James Wade v Jonny Clayton