I was pretty sure this was what happened commentators mentioned it at the time too

The semis are often a let down for some reason, both would have been 6-0 if Lewis hadn't taken his foot off the gas. Tonight lacked the drama of the last couple of rounds, it was just never in doubt who was going to win early on in both games.

Only Taylor in his prime & MVG could have lived with Anderson tonight phenomenal performance, Klaasen didn't do much wrong.

Anderson looking unbeatable, and we know Lewis's top game is likely the best but he goes away for some legs to often.

But should be a great game.

PL line up announced after the final

I'm going for
Qualified
MVG
Anderson
Lewis
Taylor

Barney,Wade,Chisnall,Thornton,Smith,Wright

I think the only places open to debate are Chisnall and Thornton and the question of do you add Klassen in or not? Don't think anyone else has earned a place.

Think Thornton will get in because of the GP win otherwise doubt he would have done.
Klaasen losing 6-0 last night makes me think he could have blown it.
Reckon Wade,Wright,Barney,Thornton will be PDC picks then up to SKY for the other 2 (2 from Smith,Chizzy and Klaasen)

Haven't been able to follow it this year as closely as usual but turned on last night delighted to see Barney in the semis. A shame he only started playing when he was 5 zip down as you'd have thought his harder run to the semis would have stood him in greater stead. Barney is such a frustrating thrower - you can see the ability and the beautiful, languid throwing action (though we've seen a quicker throw pay dividends on the odd occasion) but he doesn't have the drive someone of his ability should, never mind the drive of Taylor.

Anderson was magnificent last night. To open up with a nine darter is something else. The best compliment I can pay is that it was Tayloresque. Hard to call it tonight but just fancy Anderson.

On a side note, my mum and I were discussing how many of the players we watched for years on Sky have fallen away. Some have just been left behind in an era of greater professionalism, some have just got old and some gave it up a bit too easily for mine (Mardle). My old favourite was Roland Scholten who used to be top five in the world. Whatever happened to him? Does he still commentate on German TV?

Edit: Thanks Darren for already answering that on the BDO thread.

there's a load of PDC major matches up on YouTube from the 00's. love watching them back. however the difference between then and now in standard is staggering. The 2008 World Champs didn't even have one 100+ average.

Part, for example, won world titles by being ice cool under pressure and very solid on doubles. it was enough back then if you could just keep hitting steady tons and then finish well. now the scoring is off the charts.

matches from the last decade had great tension but the amount of darts that end up in the 1 and 5 beds is insane.also players were so shaky on doubles, even the top ones

A lot of it must come down to Taylor and how he raised the bar. there's no doubt players are more professional than ever now in order to become the best.

I think Mardle chickened out a bit myself, got a handy number on sky and wasn't prepared put in that bit extra to keep with the top guys

surely klaasen will make PL lads? he's as entertaining a player there is, it's all about asses on seats at the end of the day

On another note, when Klaasen inevitably overtakes Barney in the rankings, how will it affect the Dutch World Cup Team? Will MvG be prepared to play alongside him? ever since Klaasen's indiscretion MvG hasn't even given him eye contact on stage

I was thinking that yesterday.Reckon MVG would pull out.Would be too awkward.
If Jelle makes the PL it will be the first time they have met on sky since it happened.
Considering the sensitive nature of the subject i reckon Sky would not mention no handshakes.ITV did not when they met in the Europeans.

At the expense of who ? Chizzy ? Much more consistent and has done better in the PL than Klaasen. Thornton ? Possibly but The Thorn is a major winner this year.

I think 8 places are nailed on

Taylor, Anderson, Lewis and MVG through rankings
Wade, Barney, Wright and Smith through merit

That leaves 2 places from Thornton, Chizzy, Klaasen and of course Adams ( yeah I know I said that back at the GSOD but I will stick with it )

Seems so long ago now since Klaasen was in the PL.
Coming out with the bunch of Roses

The old 'El Matador' days none of this cobra nonsense

Still he lost to 'Dreamboy' Anderson last night so lets move on

I don't think Gary should even be playing tonight having thrown that game against Barney in the 2006 BDO

I agree with your 4, and it has to be Chizzy surely? and would love to see Adams.

I wonder which year Taylor will not be in the Premier league, surely that day is not too far away?

yeah I can't see MvG going ahead with it to be honest, would be far too awkward.

Yeah they've played about 3 times now since late 2012 and each time there's been no reference at all as far as I can remember, even during the match itself. while i'm sure Sky Sports would love to build up a rivalry as much as they can, as you say this is a sensitive subject so I'm sure they'll try to avoid it in this instance

it would be very weird to see them in a major final together. the speeches after would be intriguing to say the least! it'd be almost impossible not to acknowledge the opponent.

It's between Thornton and Klassen for the last slot I'm going for Klassen

I think Chizzy will be fine but I can see them going for Klaasen over Thornton.

Sky have an incentive to pick him for entertainment purposes, while the PDC have an incentive in that (despite being 31) he's more an "up and comer" and looks to have potential to challenge the top guys consistently over the next while. the 6-0 might just go against him, but I reckon beating Taylor was what could clinch it for him.

While Thornton has actually won a couple of majors, he's not as big a draw as jelle for casual fans. on form he's a 180 machine and his unconventional shot outs make him intriguing viewing

I'd love to see Adams though in it myself tbh!

Could they throw a real curveball and leave out Wade perhaps? he hasn't had a great year (awful PL iirc) but perhaps his matchplay final and the fact he's a well known name could save him

Had Chizzy done enough to warrant picking ? Dropped down the rankings and not won anything. Arguably his worst season since joining the PDC. But he's great to watch and had a good run last year.

Somebody is going to be disappointed

Once there's wildcards he'll be sound for years yet!

that said when he declines permanently his slow playing style could make him tedious to watch. he gets away with it now with his high scoring. he's too big a draw to leave out though until he gets really useless !

Could his cracker v Wright this week ensure his place?

Yes it's one match but lets be honest a lot of these things do go on recency effect. he is great to watch

Phil will be in it for as long as he's playing, he'll retire long before he gets completely rubbish as he hates losing too much to be an also ran!

This night seemed a long way away when Andy Boulton opened things up against Per Laursen on December 17th

All you can hope for is that both Lewis and Anderson play at the very top of their game because if they do, we'll be in for something special tonight.

Bloody hell, I didn't realise dear old Sid commentated on the previous final between these two.