The five-time Premier League Darts champion had lost three of his last four matches ahead of a meeting with Michael Smith in Milton Keynes. The dire streak meant Van Gerwen had fallen outside of the top four for the first time in two and a half years, and is guaranteed to put together his lowest ever tally.

Talk of an unprecedented failure began to surface, but the Dutch ace bounced back with a pivotal 8-5 success against the Bully Boy. Speaking with Online Darts TV, Van Gerwen showed his relief at getting back to winning ways.

"It means a lot to me," said the world number one.

"I think I did the right things, at the right moments. That builds confidence; from here, I can build further in the tournament, and put myself in a better position again."

With the play-off spots being hotly contested, every win makes a big difference. Having been dumped out of the top four, Van Gerwen didn't understate the value of taking two points on Sunday night.

"It was a must-win game, but I felt a lot better from last night's game [the Dutch ace lost 8-4 to Gerwyn Price, posting a 99 average].

"I know I lost my game, but I felt a lot more comfortable.

"I've won three games and lost three games [in Milton Keynes] and I've got four to go."

The mini-slump for van Gerwen came in the midst of the most unusual period in darting history. Due to measures in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Premier League Darts competitors have lived in a socially-distanced bubble, playing daily since Tuesday without a crowd.

"It's tough, really tough. Especially when you have no people around who you can share your feelings with," admitted Mighty Mike.

"That's something you need, but you need to do it yourself.

"I'm grateful we can do our jobs. A lot of people can't do their job, or have been kicked out of their job.

"I'm a privileged man, so I don't want to moan."

It's been suggested that van Gerwen's era of hegemony is well and truly over. Peter Wright has become a world champion, the likes of Gerwyn Price and Gary Anderson pose a threat, and then there's the matter of surprise Premier League Darts runaway leader Glen Durrant.

There's at least one person who is certain that the three-time world champion will rule the roost once more.

"I want to do this more often. I want to show everyone what I'm capable of again," said van Gerwen after the win over Smith.

"Of course, it doesn't always work that way.

"I think I can [dominate], and you have to believe that. Even if it wouldn't be possible, I still believe I can.

Van Gerwen added: "I will dominate again, they know I will. Everyone in this building knows I'm the best.

"I want to show them all that I'm the best, but I have to play better than I'm doing now."