Phil Taylor gets off to a flier in the defence of his Premier League crown.

Phil Taylor got off to a winning start in the defence of his Premier League title with an 8-4 defeat of Raymond van Barneveld in Liverpool.

The Dutchman won the night's highest checkout with a 161 finish.

But Staffordshire's 14-times world champion ruthlessly completed the win, taking out 101 for another 12-dart finish at the Echo Arena.

"It was a tough match for both of us to start with," said Taylor. "But I'm delighted to get a winning start".

World No 1 Taylor beat Van Barneveld 7-1 in the PDC World Championship final at London's Alexandra Palace just a month ago.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version