Ahead of Thursdays Premier League Play-off night, live on Sky Sports 2, Rod Studd remembers when Michael van Gerwen faced Phil T

Ahead of Thursdays Premier League Play-off night, live on Sky Sports 2, Rod Studd remembers when Michael van Gerwen faced Phil Taylor in the 2013 final. Adidas GSG Baratas . Van Gerwen lines up against Adrian Lewis in the opening match of this weeks Play-Off night, while Taylor takes on defending champion Gary Anderson in the other semi-final at The O2, live on Sky Sports 2.The Premier Leagues top two players could meet again in the final, just a week after Van Gerwens win in Rotterdam, and Studd recalls a thrilling final encounter between the pair... Taylor v Van Gerwen, 2013 Premier League final at The O2I think the 2013 final between Van Gerwen and Taylor was probably the most defining darts match of the Premier League era.The reason I say that is because Phil had clung onto his title that year by beating Van Gerwen, but Michael was hot on his heels, so they were clearly the big two players. During Van Gerwens first ever season in the Premier League, they had drawn in their first match and then he defeated Taylor later in the competition. Here they were, the big two, and it was for the heavyweight darts championship of the world at that time. Rod Studd Here they were, the big two, and it was for the heavyweight darts championship of the world at that time. The winner could claim he was the best player. There was that little between them and there was little separating them on the scoreboard as well.Taylor made a brilliant start, hitting a 13-darter, a 14-darter, and led 5-2. But he missed doubles crucially in legs nine and 10, allowing Van Gerwen to pounce and get back to 5-5. Michael then made it five legs on the trot to go 7-5 in front, again with The Power missing darts at doubles. Phil Taylor had a message for Michael van Gerwen after their Premier League draw on night seven of 2016 season Phil trimmed it back to 7-6 and the match appeared to be turning in his favour in the 14th leg when Van Gerwen decided not to go for the bullseye, leaving Taylor a shot at 160, which he duly took out.Wayne Mardle was on commentary and memorably said: You shouldnt play mind games with the master!Van Gerwen shrugged it off quite quickly, going 9-7 up, but there was a further twist in the 17th leg when he missed two darts at double eight for the title and Taylor hit double top, last dart in hand, to make it 9-8. Michael van Gerwen won his only Premier League title after a thrilling final with Phil Taylor in 2013 Taylor had the darts in the 18th leg, which had he held throw, would have gone into a last-leg decider. He played a brilliant leg, leaving double top again after 12 darts.It felt like Taylor was about to prove he was still the old master, but Van Gerwen completed a fantastic 132 finish.Still three years on, that lives long in the memory of Michael van Gerwen. Not because its a roof-raising finish, but due to the significance, the circumstance of the match and who he was playing. Van Gerwen celebrates with Premier League trophy You would be a brave man to say it will definitely be Van Gerwen and Taylor again in Thursdays final, because whatever combination we get - were guaranteed three brilliant matches at The O2.Watch the Premier League Darts play-offs from The O2 Arena tonight at 7pm, Sky Sports 2. Or watch for £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV. Also See: Mardles PL Darts prediction Sky Live: PL Darts play-offs Darts stars hidden helpers Adams: MVG showed early talent Adidas Ultra Boost Rebajas . Lauzon rushed for 42 yards on 15 carries for the Vert et Or (2-3) while quarterback Jeremi Roch completed 19-of-32 passes for 251 yards and one interception. Alexandre Aube scored the other touchdown for Sherbrooke. Adidas NMD R1 Baratas . - After spending the morning in the hospital, Logan Couture gave the San Jose Sharks the spark they needed. http://www.baratasnmd.com/ . -- Get a flow chart ready to follow the Packers quarterback situation.Lionel Messi came off the bench to hit a hat-trick as Argentina qualified for the quarter-finals of the Copa America with a 5-0 win over 10-man Panama. Nicolas Otamendi and Sergio Aguero were also on target for Gerardo Martinos team as they advanced with a game to spare.Blas Perez was booked in the sixth minute for a late challenge on Javier Mascherano 40 yards from goal and Argentina went ahead from the resulting free-kick. Angel Di Maria swung the free-kick over from the left and Otamendi climbed above a static Panama defence to plant a firm header past Jaime Penedo into the net. Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick to help send Argentina through Alberto Quintero then tested Romero from distance but it was a comfortable stop for the Argentina keeper.Panama were reduced to 10 men in the 31st minute when Anibal Godoy, who was one of five players booked in the first 20 minutes of the game, was given a second yellow card for raising his arm off the ball at Nicolas Gaitan.Penedo had to be sharp to block a sliced clearance from his own defender Felipe Baloy and moments later Ever Banega forced another save out of him.Messi made his reeturn from injury in the 61st minute and it took him just seven minutes to get on the scoresheet. Adidas NMD R2 Hombre. Messi now has 53 goals for his country Luis Henriquezs attempted clearance hit Higuain and dropped into the path of Messi 15 yards out and he kept his cool to place the ball past Penedo.He made it three 12 minutes from time with a fine free-kick, curling the ball over the wall and away from a diving Penedo into the net.Aguero had a goal ruled out for offside before Messi scored the 53rd international goal of his career, holding off Baloy and cutting inside to curl a shot beyond Penedo to complete his hat-trick. A fan in a Barcelona shirt came onto the pitch after Argentinas win But Aguero did get his goal a minute from time when a long pass from Messi found Marcos Rojo and he headed the ball back across goal for the Manchester City striker to turn home from six yards out.You can watch the Copa America live on Premier Sports. ' ' '