Michael must bring A game

MICHAEL van Gerwen expects he will have to reproduce the standard used to beat fellow Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld when he faces Gary Anderson in the PDC World Championship darts final in London tonight.

The world No 1 turned in an incredible display to beat van Barneveld 6-2 at Alexandra Palace with a record average of 114.05 to beat the previous record of 111.21 set by Phil Taylor in 2002.

Van Barneveld had no answer to Van Gerwen but the 27-year-old knows he will need a repeat of those heroics against the defending champion this evening.

Van Gerwen said: “What can I say? It was a phenomenal performance from myself but also Raymond made me play this way.

“I had to bring my A game if I wanted to achieve victory.

“Everything is possible for me now.

“Everyone knows I only have one goal and that’s to hold the trophy up in the air.

“It’s Anderson in the final for me and he’s a very good player. I’ll probably have to do the same to beat him.

“For the audience and everyone everywhere, in Great Britain and in Holland I think it’s the final to dream of.

“We’ve both played really well on the way.

“Gary has played fantastic. His standard is really high.

“We know what we have to do and I first want to celebrate this win because this was a fantastic victory.

“I feel comfortable, I feel well and the crowd’s been great. I’m really looking forward to the final.”

Musselburgh’s Anderson made it 17 wins in a row at Alexandra Palace when he beat fellow Scot Peter Wright 6-3 in the other semi-final and he will be looking for a third straight title.

Wright battled back from 2-0 down to 3-3 before Anderson stretched away.

Anderson, who has just celebrated his 46th birthday, finished with a 103.45 three-dart average, had four ton-plus checkouts and 15 maximums.

“I’m just glad to get over the winning line,” he said.

“It would be an astonishing achievement. I’m still going and I don’t want to give the title up.”