Darts: Power aiming to depose the King
PHIL TAYLOR is looking to power to victory on Tyneside tonight as Premier League darts comes to the Metro Radio Arena.
The darts legend – nicknamed ‘The Power’ – is gunning for Mervyn King’s unbeaten start to the tournament tonight (7pm).
King tops the table after four straight wins, while Taylor bombed out 8-4 to James Wade in Belfast last week.
Frustrated by his first loss since November, Taylor scooped both Players Championship PDC events in Germany at the weekend – and feels right back in form for the Toon trip.
Admitting his disappointment on missing out in Belfast, Taylor said King deserves to be out in front at the top of the table – but then vowed to reel him in as the weeks progress.
Taylor said: "It was disappointing to lose last week, but it was not the end of the world.
"There are still 10 games to go in the league, so a lot of things can happen.
"Mervyn has done really well so far, he works hard at his game and I have been impressed by him.
"He hasperformed brilliantly in the first few weeks and deserves to be top of the table at the moment."
Speaking on that Wade loss, Taylor said: "Last week James performed better than me, simple as that.
"He scored well and was strong on his own throw, and I missed too many doubles. This is a new week and a new challenge. I was over the moon to win the two events in Germany and cannot wait to get back on stage."
King saw off Jelle Klaasen 8-4 in Northern Ireland, but knows he has to raise his game to land a first televised win against Taylor.
Citing consistency as the key, King said: "To beat Phil you must score heavily and take your chances.
"He raises the bar nearly every time he plays, and we are trying to catch up to him. I know that if I play to my best I stand a good chance of beating him, but I am not as consistent as him.
"In Belfast, I fell below a 100 average, and if you do that against Phil you are punished."
Jelle Klaasen v James Wade, Phil Taylor v Mervyn King, Wayne Mardle v Raymond van Barneveld, John Part v Terry Jenkins. Live on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports HD1 from 7pm.
Story By: Chronicle Live