Jonny Clayton moved to the top of the 2022 Cazoo Premier League table after claiming victory in Liverpool on Thursday, defeating Joe Cullen in the final.<\/p>\n
The Night 2 final saw Clayton battle back from 3-1 down in the decider as he went on to secure the win 6-4 against the Premier League debutant.<\/p>\n
Cullen, who had lost in his quarter-final tie in Cardiff a week ago, began the final the brighter of the pair as he raced into a 3-1 lead at a packed M&S Bank Arena.<\/p>\n
The defending Premier League champion fought back, levelling the match after six legs before another break of throw saw Cullen wrestle back the initiative.<\/p>\n
Clayton – who had finished Night 1 as runner-up to Peter Wright – then went on to win the next three legs, capitalising on Cullen’s missed doubles to claim the win and pocket the \u00a310,000 winners bonus.<\/p>\n
“It means a lot to me to win in Liverpool, I support Liverpool FC so the city means a lot to me,” said Clayton.<\/p>\n
“The atmosphere was absolutely fantastic, it’s a shame we have to leave!<\/p>\n
“I didn’t play my best in the final but I got over the line and that’s what counts.<\/p>\n
“The game against Michael van Gerwen was hard work, I had to be at my very best to win that one.<\/p>\n
“I’m Premier League champion for a reason and I’ve got off to a good start this year, so long may it continue.”<\/p>\n
The final victory was the end of a superb night for the Welshman, who defeated Michael Smith 6-3 before recovering from 4-1 down to average 106 and defeat Michael van Gerwen 6-4 in the semis.<\/p>\n
Van Gerwen had swept aside World Champion Peter Wright with a 6-1 quarter-final win, bettering his 103 average from that match with a 105 average in a thrilling semi-final with Clayton only to eventually be defeated.<\/p>\n
Gerwyn Price was the other man to reach the last four after defeating Gary Anderson 6-3, but the world number one came unstuck in the last four despite leading Cullen 5-2.<\/p>\n
Cullen also defeated James Wade in Liverpool as the Masters champion enjoyed his first victories on the Premier League stage.<\/p>\n
The Cazoo Premier League roadshow moves on to Belfast for Night 3 on Thursday February 17, as Wright takes on Anderson in the pick of the quarter-final ties.<\/p>\n
The night’s other matches will also see Smith – the only player without a win so far this season – meet Price, Cullen take on Van Gerwen and Wade face Night 2 winner Clayton as the \u00a31 million tournament continues at The SSE Arena.<\/p>\n
2022 Cazoo Premier League Semi-Finals<\/strong> Final<\/strong> Night 3 – The SSE Arena, Belfast Jonny Clayton moved to the top of the 2022 Cazoo Premier League table after claiming victory in Liverpool on Thursday,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":4426,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[943,124],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4425","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-results"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nNight 2 – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
\nThursday February 10
\nQuarter-Finals<\/strong>
\nMichael van Gerwen 6-1 Peter Wright
\nJonny Clayton 6-3 Michael Smith
\nJoe Cullen 6-3 James Wade
\nGerwyn Price 6-3 Gary Anderson<\/p>\n
\nJonny Clayton 6-4 Michael van Gerwen
\nJoe Cullen 6-5 Gerwyn Price<\/p>\n
\nJonny Clayton 6-4 Joe Cullen<\/p>\n
\nThursday February 17
\nQuarter-Finals<\/strong>
\nMichael Smith v Gerwyn Price
\nJoe Cullen v Michael van Gerwen
\nGary Anderson v Peter Wright
\nJames Wade v Jonny Clayton<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"