Jonny Clayton tops the Premier League table once again after storming to Brighton title “It’s time for Luke Littler to start chasing me again!”
Jonny Clayton tops the Premier League table once again after storming to Brighton title “It’s time for Luke Littler to start chasing me again!”
Jonny Clayton stormed back to the top of the 2026 BetMGM Premier League table after clinching Night Ten victory in Brighton on Thursday, producing a series of resilient performances to edge out his rivals.
The Welsh number one secured his third nightly win of the campaign with hard-earned victories over Luke Humphries, Josh Rock and Michael van Gerwen. The triumph sees Clayton reclaim top spot in the standings, opening up a three-point cushion over second-placed Luke Littler.
Clayton’s night began in dramatic fashion against defending champion Humphries. The contest went down to a deciding leg, where Clayton held his nerve superbly. After surviving a match dart, he produced a clinical 84 checkout on the bullseye to snatch victory and eliminate the world number two in a thrilling opener.
He then faced Rock in the semi-finals, looking to reverse recent defeats against the Northern Irishman. Clayton delivered a composed display to secure a 6-4 win, overcoming the pressure and confirming his return to the top of the league table while booking his place in the final.
The title decider against Van Gerwen proved to be one of the most dramatic matches of the season. Clayton made a bright start with a brilliant 140 checkout to take the opening leg, but Van Gerwen quickly responded. The Dutchman surged into a 3-1 lead and then extended his advantage to 5-2, averaging over 105 and appearing on course for victory.
However, Clayton refused to concede. In a remarkable turnaround, he survived two match darts at 5-2 down, then another two at 5-4, showing immense composure under pressure. He levelled the match at 5-5 with yet another 84 finish on the bullseye, setting up a last-leg decider.
With momentum on his side, Clayton produced a superb 12-dart leg to complete the comeback and seal an unforgettable win on the south coast.
“I’m back on top of the table, and it’s time for Luke Littler to start chasing me again!” said Clayton.
“I thought the game was over at 5-2 against Michael, but you have to take your chances, and that last leg was probably my best leg of the game.
“Obviously I lost to Josh [Rock] in the last couple of weeks, and it puts you under pressure.
“Coming into tonight I was just hoping for two points. Anything after that was a bonus, so to win the night is great.
“It’s another trophy for the cabinet and I’m back on top, so I’m happy!”
Van Gerwen, despite missing out on the nightly win, continued his consistent run by reaching a fourth final of the season. The Dutchman came through two tight encounters earlier in the evening, first defeating compatriot Gian van Veen 6-4, taking advantage of missed doubles from the world number three.
He then edged past Stephen Bunting in a deciding-leg semi-final to strengthen his position in the Play-Off places, moving four points clear of the chasing pack.
Elsewhere, Rock continued his resurgence with a third consecutive quarter-final victory, defeating Gerwyn Price 6-3. The result lifted Rock to six points and halted Price’s push for top spot.
Bunting also impressed, overcoming an out-of-sorts Littler 6-4. The reigning World Champion recorded the lowest televised average of his professional career in that defeat, as Bunting climbed to sixth in the standings.
Attention now turns to the next round of fixtures, which will take place in Rotterdam. The Dutch crowd will be treated to a key night in the race for the Play-Offs, with Van Veen set to face Humphries on home soil, while Van Gerwen takes on Clayton in a high-stakes encounter.
Littler will meet Price in a crucial clash near the top of the table, and Bunting continues his push for the top four with a meeting against Rock, as the Premier League season continues to build towards its final stages.
Jonny Clayton tops the Premier League table once again after storming to Brighton title
2026 BetMGM Premier League
Night Ten – Brighton Centre
Thursday April 9
Quarter-Finals
Jonny Clayton 6-5 Luke Humphries
Josh Rock 6-3 Gerwyn Price
Stephen Bunting 6-4 Luke Littler
Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Gian van Veen
Semi-Finals
Jonny Clayton 6-4 Josh Rock
Michael van Gerwen 6-5 Stephen Bunting
Final
Jonny Clayton 6-5 Michael van Gerwen
Night Eleven – Rotterdam Ahoy
Thursday April 16
Quarter-Finals
Luke Littler v Gerwyn Price
Gian van Veen v Luke Humphries
Michael van Gerwen v Jonny Clayton
Stephen Bunting v Josh Rock
Semi-Finals
Littler/Price v Van Veen/Humphries
Van Gerwen/Clayton v Bunting/Rock
Final
v
All matches best of 11 legs
