Joe Cullen claims glory on dramatic Night Seven of Premier League Darts in Rotterdam

Joe Cullen denied Michael van Gerwen a dream homecoming as he claimed the Premier League Night Seven title on an eventful evening in Rotterdam.

Cullen silenced the 10,000-strong Dutch crowd at the Rotterdam Ahoy with some clutch finishing under pressure to edge out home hero Van Gerwen in a thrilling final which went down to a deciding leg.

The Masters Champion had endured a tough start to his debut Premier League campaign and came into the night at the bottom of the table, but a victories over Gary Anderson, Peter Wright and Van Gerwen saw him become the sixth different winner in the opening seven nights.

“It’s great to get the win, there’s nothing better than playing a Dutchman in their backyard,” said Cullen.

“The crowd was unbelievable. I thought playing Jonny Clayton in Cardiff was special but this tops it.

“It’s a special night for me, especially to get the five points because I was struggling a bit at the bottom of the table but now I’m back.

“I don’t think I played much better than I did last week, the Premier League is tough every week.

“I think the new format has helped me out, winning five points tonight keeps me right in the hunt for the Play-Offs.”

While neither Cullen nor Van Gerwen were at their flowing best in the final, the pair played out an unpredictable contest as Cullen hit back from 4-3 down.

After Van Gerwen missed a dart at double 16 to go 5-4 up, Cullen took out 114 to move within a leg of victory.

Van Gerwen forced a last-leg decider, but back-to-back 180s from Cullen in the final leg gave him time to complete victory – which he duly did on double four despite pressure from the Dutch favourite.

Cullen’s first experience of the unique Ahoy atmosphere was almost short-lived, as he survived four match darts from Night Six winner Anderson in a feisty 6-5 Quarter-Final victory.

Anderson appeared irate towards Cullen during the final leg and his frustrations boiled over at the end of the match as he confronted his opponent over what he believed to be the use of deliberate tactics.

Cullen, however, vigorously denied any wrongdoing and quickly followed Anderson off the stage to protest his innocence.

The Bradford ace then battled past world number one Wright 6-4 in the Semi-Finals to reach his second final of the campaign – where he eventually picked up the £10,000 bonus.

Van Gerwen picks up three league points thanks to victories over Jonny Clayton and Michael Smith to maintain his position at the top of the table.

Losing semi-finalists Wright and Clayton leave Rotterdam with two points apiece thanks to 6-5 Quarter-Final wins over James Wade and Gerwyn Price respectively, with both surviving match darts from their opponents in the process.

The Premier League roadshow heads to Birmingham for Night Eight of the competition next Thursday.

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Premier League Darts 2022 – Night Seven Results

Thursday March 24

Quarter-Finals
Peter Wright 6-5 James Wade
Gary Anderson 5-6 Joe Cullen
Jonny Clayton 6-5 Gerwyn Price
Michael van Gerwen 6-5 Michael Smith

Semi-Finals
Peter Wright 4-6 Joe Cullen
Jonny Clayton 3-6 Michael van Gerwen

Final
Joe Cullen 6-5 Michael van Gerwen