Premier League Darts: Phil Taylor suffers group-stage exit
Last updated on .From the section Darts
Sixteen-time world champion Phil Taylor has been knocked out in the group stage of the Premier League for the first time in the event's 11-year history.
The 54-year-old from Stoke-on-Trent lost 7-5 to Gary Anderson in a repeat of January's World Championship final.
Taylor, a six-time winner of the Premier League title, had never failed to reach the semi-finals since the tournament's inception in 2005.
Anderson and Raymond van Barneveld secured play-off spots on Thursday.
The pair will join Michael van Gerwen and Dave Chisnall in London on 21 May, when the Premier League reaches its climax.
World number one Van Gerwen lost 7-5 to Adrian Lewis and the Dutchman's lead at the top of the table is now just one point after Dave Chisnall thrashed Stephen Bunting 7-1.
Van Barneveld, the defending Premier League champion, drew 6-6 with James Wade to confirm his top-four place.
The group stage concludes in Brighton on 14 May.
| Premier League table - Week 14 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Played | Points | |
| Michael van Gerwen | 15 | 22 |
| Dave Chisnall | 15 | 21 |
| Raymond van Barneveld | 15 | 18 |
| Gary Anderson | 15 | 17 |
| Adrian Lewis | 15 | 14 |
| Phil Taylor | 15 | 13 |
| James Wade | 15 | 12 |
| Stephen Bunting | 15 | 11 |
| Top four players after 16 matches qualify for play-offs | ||
