Premier League Darts Night Nine Round-Up: Price perfection as 'The Iceman' dominates in Manchester on night headlined by Van Veen-Littler fracas

The Premier League Darts headed to Manchester for night nine with a top tie of Luke Littler facing off against Gian van Veen on paper and it delivered in the drama stakes but it was Gerwyn Price reigned supreme.

A trio of 6-2 wins over Bunting, Humphries and finally Van Veen in the final handed him a second nightly win of the Premier League season to continue his contention towards the play-offs and put the pressure on Littler at the top.

Price often thrives in Manchester and now sits second on 19 points with Littler on 21. Clayton 19 is third with a gap forming to Van Gerwen on 13.

In the final, Price was utterly sublime from the very start. He opened with a 180 on the Van Veen throw and was first to a finish on 128. Van Veen left 78 with a 136 but Price hit 128 to lead 1-0.

A 65 checkout and Price went 2-0 up backing up the break. Another inviting 128 and he pinned a carbon copy for yet another break for 3-0. Van Veen couldn't do anything. A 12-darter double 16 for Price saw him hold for 4-0.

Van Veen was finally on the board but only a hold as Price was still averaging over 111. An 84 checkout on double 12 for Price who was one away at 5-1. A 41 checkout saw Van Veen prolong it to 5-2 but Price was throwing for the win from there. Price left 44 with Van Veen way back and pinned it to seal the win.

Earlier in the night, Van Veen reached the semi-finals by taking down Luke Littler who was in his 'home city' of Manchester. Being from Warrington but supporting Manchester United, he feels at home in Manchester and gains crowd support aplenty.

But he also copped heavy criticism after coming to blows with Van Veen. Littler appeared to be celebrating when Van Veen missed his first matchdart on 90. Van Veen appeared to notice this and looked at the crowd first before then looking over at Littler noticing him celebrating. Littler himself got annoyed at Van Veen and lifted his arms to try and buoy the crowd.

But eventually Van Veen won, there was no look in the handshake and Littler took to his story to laugh at comments Van Veen made to Viaplay.

In terms of the match, Littler kicked off pinning double 10 but back came Van Veen. He went 2-1 up with a 97 and 128 checkout, the latter to break. A 17-darter 96 checkout and Van Veen was halfway to the finish at 3-1 up.

Littler was being well beaten as he missed a chance to hold and Van Veen hit 56 for 4-1. Littler hit back with a 12-dart 87 checkout. He was throwing for 4-3 down but Van Veen always seemed to stay ahead. Littler broke back to force the decider. Van Veen missed a match dart but so did Littler before the former fell over the line on double six.

This after Stephen Bunting and Gerwyn Price had opened the night with victories prior to that. Bunting saw off Michael van Gerwen 6-3.

Van Gerwen had been left perturbed by a camera in the opening leg. Bunting took out 71 for an opening hold and was in business from there. He hit a superb 161 checkout to break for 2-0 and Van Gerwen's missed chances came back to bite him as Bunting went 4-0 up. MVG broke ack but it was a final salvo as Bunting broke again to seal the win.

Price in reaching that final saw off Luke Humphries first. He hit a 135 to break and went 2-0 up early doors against 'Cool Hand Luke'. Humphries broke back but Price hit 45 for 3-1 and then double 20 for 4-1. A 47 checkout on double 20 and Price went 5-2 up.

A 60 checkout to break and he sealed it. He saw off Stephen Bunting in the first semi-final. Price set up 164 to leave 40 after Bunting had initially missed 84 but Bunting eventually returned for double two. Price levelled with a 12-darter and then a 170. Bunting levels back with a 112 checkout. It was 2-2 early.

Another break, this time for Price who hit 92 to go 3-2 up. Price hit double six for 4-2 up and broke again on double 20 for 5-2. He sealed the win with a 112 checkout.

Over to Van Veen and Rock prior to the final and it was holds aplenty. Rock started a ton plus streak hitting 109. Van Veen hit back with 126 and then an 80 checkout to break for 5-3. He then ended it with a 160 checkout.