Van Gerwen seals third World Matchplay title, first since 2016 with incredible comeback win over Price

Michael van Gerwen came into this year's World Matchplay with doubts against his form due to recent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome surgery as he looked to regain the Phil Taylor Trophy for the first time since 2016 but in an improbable title win, it was a similar type comeback as he saw off Gerwyn Price 18-14 in a simply sublime win from the Green Machine.

Price led for the most part including going 9-6 and 12-10 up and was slowly building his lead but just like the semi-finals, Van Gerwen waited patiently and struck only leading for the first time at 15-14 before surging to the title.

He adds to his Premier League Darts triumph last month as he looks to seal the triple crown with the World Darts Championship the only piece left as he looks to dominate the world of darts once more.

Price was incredible to begin the tie as he doubled his lead with a 101 checkout and broke throw from there at 4-0 with a 70 checkout pouncing all over missed doubles from Van Gerwen.

This continued to be a theme for MVG albeit missing double 12 for a nine-dart finish. He returned to seal a 4-1 deficit but was three down at the interval.

Both exchanged 180’s but Van Gerwen was first to a finish in the form of 90 missing two darts at double 20 but Price was not there to punish on 130 and MVG made it 4-2 consolidating the break.

He followed it up with an incredible 160 checkout as he broke once more at 4-3 down. It was suddenly parity at 4-4 with Price going off the boil just as Van Gerwen rose to the occasion. But the missed doubles returned and Price after a wry 180 had a go at 58 pinning double 20 to open up a two leg gap again at 5-3.

Double 10 pinned saw Price hold and make it 6-3. At the next interval though it was finely poised with Price’s lead sat at 6-4.

A 180, 177 and 44 checkout saw Price make it 7-4. Van Gerwen returned with a special 82 checkout with the 25 blocking the bull and he found his way through for 7-5 but only a hold as Price continued to surge ahead at 8-5.

Both exchanged maximums again making it 13 for the match. But after Van Gerwen didn’t take out 114, Price returned for double nine to break again and make it 9-5.

But a poor leg from Price saw Van Gerwen immediately break back at 9-6. Another maximum from MVG left 97 which he pinned to go two behind at 9-7.

Price missed the second dart at double 20 for a 100 checkout but Van Gerwen missed the same target for 118 and ‘The Iceman’ went into double figures at 10-7. Van Gerwen held again with another showstopping checkout of 140 but it was only to go two behind.

Price again pinned a maximum with the 18th in all in the match and pinned an 86 checkout on double 16 to go 11-8 up. An 86 checkout kept it at 11-9 at the next interval with Van Gerwen keeping the pressure on.

This time it was Price who got punished for missed doubles and took out 81 for 11-10 but Van Gerwen missed two darts for a level game and Price broke back on double 10 at 12-10.

Price couldn’t pin a 144 on his throw but a 74 checkout from Van Gerwen was missed. But again missed doubles crept into Price’s game and Van Gerwen found another break at 12-11 down.

It was a 21st match 180 between them as Price pinned a maximum but he followed that up with a 25 and Van Gerwen was first to a finish of 115 as he looked for parity.

Price was sat on 76 and got a shot with double 19 missed by MVG but the former was wild and handed MVG parity at 12-12.

Price missed 90 on the bull and Van Gerwen was handed a break chance at 84 but he couldn’t take it and ‘The Iceman’ continued to hold the lead at 13-12.

A 90 checkout saw parity for Van Gerwen again at 13-13. Price again began to falter on his throw handing Van Gerwen a chance at 76 but one again he didn’t take and again the Welshman went 14-13 up.

MVG hit double 20 as Price could not attack the throw and it was 14-14. MVG finally sealed a break to lead with a 130 checkout just like he did against Van den Bergh at 15-14.

A last dart double six saw that lead stretched to two at 16-14. Price missed two darts from 100 to hold and Van Gerwen moved to within a leg with a 114 checkout at 17-14.

Price’s trebles finally returned with his back against the wall. He missed the bull for an 88 checkout and Van Gerwen pinned 121 on the bull for the title.