The 2014 Premier League Darts season delivered an unforgettable spectacle, marked by shocking upsets, incredible comebacks, and the eventual triumph of an underdog. Despite an early career slump for darting legend Phil Taylor and the controversial exclusion of James Wade, the tournament saw Raymond van Barneveld defy all odds. He battled back from a precarious position, famously overcame his long-standing rival Phil Taylor in a dramatic semi-final, and then conquered defending champion Michael van Gerwen in an all-Dutch final to claim his first-ever Premier League title in an emotional display of skill and resilience.
Setting the Stage: A Season of Change and Controversy
The 2014 Premier League Darts season ushered in a new era, following the controversial omission of World Number 6 James Wade. PDC chairman Barry Hearn attributed Wade’s absence to his ongoing struggles with bipolar disorder. This year marked the second season of a revised format, featuring ten players with two facing relegation after nine weeks of intense competition.
The Line-Up:
- Defending Champion: Michael Van Gerwen
- Phil Taylor
- Simon Whitlock
- Adrian Lewis
- Wildcards: Dave Chisnall, Peter Wright, Robert Thornton, Wes Newton, Raymond Van Barneveld, and Gary Anderson
Early Shocks and Surprises: Weeks 1-3
The league kicked off in Liverpool with immediate drama. Dave Chisnall capitalized on Robert Thornton’s poor doubling, while Peter Wright started strong with a 7-3 victory over Wes Newton. Raymond Van Barneveld put on a masterclass, averaging an astounding 108.52 in a win against an unlucky Gary Anderson, who averaged over 100 but only secured two legs.
However, the **biggest shock of the opening night** came from a rematch of the 2013 final between Michael Van Gerwen and Phil Taylor. While MVG’s win wasn’t entirely surprising, the manner of his victory sent ripples through the darts world: **a dominant 7-0 whitewash with a 109.59 average**. This was unprecedented; never before had ‘The Power’ been blanked in the Premier League. Though Taylor didn’t play poorly, it signaled a challenging start to his campaign, reminiscent of 2008. Simon Whitlock, battling a severe ear infection, endured a disastrous 7-1 defeat to Adrian Lewis, marking the beginning of a tough season.
Week 2 in Bournemouth saw a dramatic dip in form for Van Barneveld, losing to Wes Newton after his stellar week one performance. Phil Taylor’s struggles continued, with his darts consistently drifting and doubles eluding him, leading to a convincing 7-3 loss to his former protégé, Adrian Lewis.
In Week 3, Gary Anderson again faced a monumental performance, this time from Robert Thornton, who averaged 105.21 to beat his fellow Scot 7-2. **Phil Taylor, despite averaging over 100, still couldn’t secure a win**, falling 7-4 to Peter Wright, who claimed his first-ever victory over Taylor.
The Mid-Season Rally: Taylor’s Fightback and Barney’s Ascent
Taylor’s fortunes finally turned in Week 4 in Glasgow, where he averaged 104.82 in a 7-3 win over Simon Whitlock. The standout performances of the night came from Raymond Van Barneveld, who averaged over 107 to defeat his compatriot Michael Van Gerwen 7-5, and Gary Anderson, who thrilled his home crowd with an average over 108.
Whitlock’s first and ultimately **only win of the 2014 Premier League** came in Week 5, defying a 103.12 average from Robert Thornton. By this point, **Phil Taylor found himself near the bottom of the table**, a rare and worrying sight, sparking doubts about his playoff chances or even escaping relegation. Meanwhile, Peter Wright remained unbeaten, sitting comfortably at the top.
Judgment Night: Relegation Confirmed
As ‘Judgment Night’ approached in Cardiff, **Phil Taylor staged a remarkable recovery**, securing crucial wins against Dave Chisnall and Wes Newton, and a draw with Raymond Van Barneveld. These results ensured **Taylor would avoid relegation**, a testament to his resilience.
The two players who fell through the trap door were **Simon Whitlock and Wes Newton**. Whitlock, despite a heroic final match performance where he led MVG 6-2, could only manage a draw in a fantastic game. Robert Thornton narrowly clung on to his Premier League status.
The Playoff Race Heats Up: Second Phase Drama
The second half of the season proved highly beneficial for **Raymond Van Barneveld, Gary Anderson, and Phil Taylor**, all of whom had clawed their way back into contention for the top four spots. Conversely, Peter Wright, who had dominated the first half, began to falter, allowing Michael Van Gerwen to reclaim his clear lead at the top. Lewis, Thornton, and Chisnall showed flashes of brilliance but lacked the consistency needed for a playoff push. While Van Gerwen was comfortably first, the other three playoff contenders all finished on 20 points, meaning **leg difference decided their final standings and semi-final matchups**.
Semi-Final Showdowns: Drama in London
The semi-finals in London delivered high-quality darts:
- Michael Van Gerwen vs. Gary Anderson: A superb contest where both players averaged over 100. Van Gerwen ultimately triumphed 8-7 in a thrilling deciding leg.
- Raymond Van Barneveld vs. Phil Taylor: This was the match that truly defined the tournament. Barney, despite finishing second in the league, was considered an underdog by bookmakers, having lost his previous six Premier League semi-finals. He faced his great rival, Phil Taylor, against whom he had a historically poor record.
The match began as expected, with Taylor taking a commanding 4-1 lead. Barney struggled to find his rhythm. However, the turning point came when **Taylor missed six darts to extend his lead to 5-2**. Barney seized this opportunity, launching an incredible comeback by winning **five consecutive legs to go 6-4 up**. Fired up and revitalized, Barney maintained his momentum, eventually closing out the game 8-5 with a superb 11-dart leg, ending his semi-final curse in spectacular fashion.
A Historic Final: Van Barneveld Conquers Van Gerwen
In an all-Dutch final, Raymond Van Barneveld defied the common pattern of underperforming after a major win. He elevated his game to an even higher level, completely dominating the world number one, Michael Van Gerwen. Barney took early control, leading 3-1, then extended his advantage to 9-5 before ultimately securing a **10-6 victory** for an incredibly emotional triumph.
In his post-match interview, the five-time world champion reflected on his monumental achievement:
“Nine years ago, I joined the PDC and got a wildcard to play in the Premier League, and I thought this was the best event in the world – but I’ve never been able to get past the semi-finals!… This year, the PDC and Sky believed in me and gave me a Wildcard, and finally I’ve got into the final, and I’ve won the whole thing. Beating Phil and Michael in one night is fantastic.”
Barney’s victory was against the odds, a title that felt long overdue, and one of the rare instances where a player managed to defeat two of the greatest darts players of all time in a single night. It was a truly unforgettable climax to a memorable Premier League season.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
