Taylor made to work
Power still on top after spoils shared in Manchester
Phil Taylor continues to lead the Premier League but he was made to work by Mervyn King as the top two players in the table shared a 7-7 draw on Thursday night.
The Power was certainly flickering in Manchester's MEN Arena, where even a surge of support from 7,500 darts disciples failed to really spark the 15-times World Champion.
Taylor's malaise was highlighted in the eighth leg when, finding himself 4-3 down, he faced a 129 checkout.
Needing the bull, Taylor missed it by a mile with King then checking out on 88 to take a two-leg lead.
With Taylor appearing bemused and shaking his head, the stage appeared set for an upset.
However, he immediately hit back - the bullseye this time well within Taylor's sights as he completed a magnificent 161 checkout.
Evidence that Taylor had finally woken up came with some fine finishing in the next two legs as he hit the bull once more for 126 before finding double top for a 125.
Despite having his two-leg advantage turned into a one-leg deficit, King came back and hit double 16 at the third attempt to level the match.
He then hit it once more to complete a 99 checkout and guarantee himself a point but Taylor hit double top in the 14th leg to share the spoils.
Time off
Despite having enjoyed a 100 per cent record in this year's competition heading into night five, Taylor later said he had yet to find his full form after taking a break following his latest Alexandra Palace success at the start of the year.
"I had three weeks off and it's set me back about three months to be honest," said Taylor, who stands two points clear. "I'm not working - I'm still not right yet. But I will be."
The evening's first match between James Wade and Ronnie Baxter also finished 7-7 after the world number three overcame a three-leg deficit.
Indeed, having been 6-3 behind, Wade hit an 85 checkout to edge in front. However, his opponent - at one stage three away from a nine-darter - took the final leg.
Later, Raymond van Barneveld scored the first victory of the evening, the Dutchman always appearing in control as he beat Terry Jenkins 8-4.
Adrian Lewis versus Simon Whitlock also produced the same scoreline - the Australian claiming the win to move up to fourth place in the table.
