Premier League Darts: Debutant Chris Dobey stuns Michael van Gerwen to win opening night in Belfast

Chris Dobey enjoys a dream debut in the Premier League by beating Michael van Gerwen in the Final I of Belfast The Cardiff International Arena hosts the second of 17 individual venues on Thursday 9 February, with the play-offs returning at The O2 in London on Thursday 25 May

Chris Dobey made a dream Premier League debut as he stunned reigning and six-time champion Michael van Gerwen to win opening night in Belfast.

Dobey clinched his first major PDC title by winning the Masters at Milton Keynes, which helped him toppled the draft list for this year’s Premier League.

And the 32-year-old from Bedlington produced a Hollywood-style ending after beating two-time former world champion Peter Wright in the quarterfinals and then sending Nathan Aspinall through to the final where he upset defending champion Van Gerwen.

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Dobey got that majestic 170 finish against Van Gerwen in the final

A riveting final in which Dobey landed a 170 checkout in the second leg continued into the deciding leg where Dobey landed a sensational 160 checkout and took home five league points.

“I’m living the dream,” said an enthusiastic Dobey, who appeared twice as a challenger in the 2020 and 2021 editions of the Premier League.

“The 160 box office had to go because Michael was waiting for 127 and he’s quite capable of pulling that out.

“Michael has a great record against me and it gets to your head but I knew I could do it after I first beat him on TV at the European Championships.

“I know what I can do and right now my confidence is sky high.

“I felt like I earned my place in the tournament, I didn’t have to prove anything to myself but I think I proved a few people wrong tonight.

“I’m getting a taste of it now and I love it. I want to be here all the time.”

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‘Hollywood’ produced that magic 160 in the deciding leg to win Night One

Van Gerwen earns three league points after avenging Michael Smith in their first meeting since the World Cup final, and Dimitri Van den Bergh finishes second in the embryonic table.

Loser semi-finalists Aspinall and Van den Bergh leave Belfast with two points each thanks to quarter-final victories over Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton respectively.

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Dobey says he drew confidence from his Masters win to claim victory on his Premier League debut

“Either you have it or you don’t have it in terms of that ability. He knows he has the ability, so panic didn’t set it. That Masters win is the catalyst, because we don’t know, but it’s the catalyst for tonight. That was an incredible win. He didn’t look nervous at the 160, but he’s doing it for himself. I love seeing new winners. Dobey has been a great player for a long time. good luck to him He was’ not nervous, which is amazing, but let Chris go.”

Wayne Mardle on Chris Dobey

Where are we going next?

The Premier League roadshow heads to the second night of the league stage on Thursday 9 February at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena, where Welsh duo Price and Clayton meet Dobey and Smith respectively in the quarter-finals.

In the evening’s other quarterfinal, Aspinall meets Wright while Van Gerwen meets Van den Bergh.

We’re back for more Premier League darts action from the Cardiff International Arena on Thursday 9th February – live on Sky Sports Arena from 19:00 and Sky Sports Main Event from 19:30.