Image source, Getty Images

Thank you very much to everyone for following our live text page from the opening night of the Premier League season in Newcastle.

Next week, we head to Belgium for the first time. As ever, follow along to the live text for updates throughout the night with a slightly earlier start time of 18:00 GMT.

That's all from us tonight. To recap tonight's action you can read Ian Mitchelmore's report from the Utilita Arena here.

We will see you again next week!

Michael van Gerwen took maximum points from night one of the Premier League season, with Gian van Veen moving to second after his first night in the competition.

Wins for Jonny Clayton and Luke Humphries put them in the top four, while Gerwyn Price, Luke Littler, Stephen Bunting and Josh Rock await their first wins of the season.

Ian Mitchelmore
BBC Sport Wales at Utilita Arena, Newcastle

It wasn't vintage Michael van Gerwen tonight by any stretch, but that was a really encouraging night for the Dutchman who looked somewhat perplexed when awarded his nightly trophy by Wayne Mardle after winning the final.

That's one down and 15 nights to go, and of course, finals night.

Week two takes us to a new city for the Premier League as the eight players roll up at the FAS Dome in Antwerp in Belgium.

Here's the quarter-final line-up:

• Luke Littler v Luke Humphries
• Michael van Gerwen v Josh Rock
• Jonny Clayton v Stephen Bunting
• Gerwyn Price v Gian van Veen

Tasty.

Michael van Gerwen talking to Sky Sports: "It is definitely a good start, without playing my A performance. I had some fantastic finishing on the right moments and whenever I had to perform on my own leg I did it and that means you win games. It is about time I win something!

"I had a lot of problems at the World Masters at the weekend. There is still a lot to work at, I know I can do better than this, but this gives you confidence. Winning games is the best medicine to perform better.

"It is always nice to respond well. In the Masters I had some issues at home so I had to deal with that but to bounce back with a win means a lot to me. It is a nice start and gives me confidence because it is going to be a long 16 weeks.

"Of course I want to the league but that isn't my main priority. The Premier League isn't my main priority either, that is ranking tournaments now so I always said after the World Championships that the Premier League is the second-biggest tournament for players, but for me personally the UK Open and the Matchplay is more important for me, but that doesn't get away from the fact that I'm not coming here to not win.

"There is still room for improvement and when you keep that in mind anything if possible. The consistency has been missing in my game recently but I want to enjoy what I'm doing and if you enjoy it then the results come."

While Michael van Gerwen finishes off his post-match media duties, let's bring you those final match stats.

MVG averaged 97.81 there that included six 180s and took out six of his 14 attempts on the doubles.

Gian van Veen did not score with the same success, averaging below 91. He took four of his 14 attempts on the doubles.

Michael van Gerwen has just got a little bit too excited in his post-match interview with an accidental expletive.

We will bring you full the and more family friendly quotes shortly.

Wayne Mardle
Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports

It is the perfect start for the seven-time champion.

Michael van Gerwen is throwing for the match here and although his scoring has dipped, he is doing enough to maintain the advantage of his Dutch counterpart.

MVG then piles in a 180 to buy a visit at double 14 for the match.

Van Gerwen bends the outer wire with his first attempt, but the second takes it out to win the final in Newcastle!

The seven-time Premier League winner gets his campaign off to the best possible start.

Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

There has been a lot of head shaking from Gian van Veen tonight. He's not been happy with how he's played.

Gian van Veen has to win three in a row here for victory and on his throw, is down to a finish but it is a 132 shot.

GVV gets the bull at first, but the second evades him. He will come back for the remaining 40.

Van Veen splits 40 in half and then misses both darts at double 10.

For his first nightly win since 2024, Michael van Gerwen misses a hat-trick at tops.

Van Veen comes back and cleans up the 10s to stay in this final.

Michael van Gerwen lands this match's sixth 180 in leg eight and with the next visit, gets down to 124 which he will get six darts at.

The first three from Mighty Mike set up a full visit at 32, but that visit is spent with misses at the 16s, eights and fours.

Needing 69, Gian van Veen gets one dart at double 16 but is narrowly wide.

MVG comes back and pins double four in one to move 5-3 up.

Wayne Mardle
Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports

You can't be anything but impressed with Michael van Gerwen tonight.

Less excitement to start leg seven, with both men needing seven darts each to get below the 400 mark.

They then canter towards a finish, more so Michael van Gerwen who hits a 180 to leave 170 but does not get remotely near taking it.

Gian van Veen needs 110 to hold. 20, treble 20, double 15!

Excellent from the debutant.

Did someone order a darting shootout?

Both men get down to 221, but Michael van Gerwen buys himself an 81 chance with a 140.

It takes three darts, but double 12 is pinned for MVG to move 4-2 in front.

Gian van Veen gets six at 85 for a break and almost does so with his first three darts, narrowly bending the inside of the double eight wire.

With two attempts at double four, GVV cleans up for another hold.

Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

Doubling has been a little bit of an issue for Gian van Veen tonight, but that is where the compliment comes in because he still finds himself in a final because of his power scoring.

Now Gian van Veen is getting in the groove, firing in his first 180 of the night which he follows up with a 140 to leave 81.

For a break, Van Veen gets a dart at bull but is a whisker away.

MVG finds 18 to leave a double double attempt on double 19 but it does not land.

Van Veen misses out on doubles eight and four which are punished by Might Mike, pinning the eights for a hold.

Wayne Mardle
Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports

That is wonderful from Gian van Veen.

I said at the start of the night we wanted darting drama, but there was nothing dramatic about that.

Image source, Reuters

Michael van Gerwen again starts with a pair of two treble visits. Against the throw, you would think MVG has started all three so far.

Mighty Mike gets a go at 170. Treble 20, treble 20 and a snatch at bull lands in 17.

Van Veen responds by pinning 84 in two darts. A needed hold.