Betterbet.com now make Phil Taylor 4/5 favourite to win the Premier League Darts (Live on Sky) after he came from behind to beat old adversary Raymond Van Barneveld on Thursday.

 

Taylor gained a measure of revenge for his defeat in the World Championship final with a stunning 8-6 Holsten Premier League victory over Van Barneveld.

 

In front of a crowd in excess of 5,000 in Sheffield, the 13-time former world champion battled back from 5-1 down to win seven of the next eight legs and maintain his incredible 33-game unbeaten run in the Premier League.

 

Taylor won a scrappy opening leg before 'Barney' raced through the next five, hitting a 12-darter in the second and taking advantage of 'The Power' missing three darts at a double in the sixth.

 

But Taylor came out after the break a different player, immediately hitting a maximum and then a 13-darter on his way to squaring at 5-5.

 

With the crowd roaring their approval, the Dutchman hit a 116-checkout in the 11th leg with Taylor on 40 to edge ahead again, before Taylor levelled at 6-6.

 

Van Barneveld should have guaranteed himself at least a draw but he missed four darts at the double in the 13th leg and Taylor held his throw in the next to complete an incredible comeback.

 

"I had to come back, I had no choice," Taylor told Sky Sports. "Some of the people were shouting out 'Easy, Easy!' and I thought 'No, just keep going'. Hopefully Raymond will give me a shot and he did. And I took my chances, I think, because that's what you've got to do against him."

 

Barneveld added: "I am very happy for Phil after I beat him in the World final. He is a true sportsman and I am very happy that he beat me tonight - for him, of course. 5-1 up and then suddenly he hit some fantastic darts."