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Manley was simply sensational but ‘The Power’ was running on battery power as he suffered his third defeat in four Premier League matches…..all this after going unbeaten for 44 games in his three year dominance of the event.

On an incredible night in Coventry, James Wade went to the top of the table after his win over John Part and Terry Jenkins’ stunning win over Raymond Van Barneveld!

But take nothing away from Manley the Magnificent. His last TV win over Taylor came way back in 1999 in the semi-finals of the World Matchplay! At The Ricoh Arena in Coventry, he was running very hot with a 102 average and an amazing 73 per cent check-out success rate….8 hits from 11 attempts.

“It really does mean a lot to me, because he has dished out so many heavy beatings over the years – especially at the World Championship. I am so relaxed this year and despite thousands of people booing me every week, I just want to show people what I can do.”

It was Manley’s first win of the 2008 Premier League and what a way to do it….he didn’t give Taylor a sniff. It went 1-0 to Manley, then one apiece thanks to a 118 Taylor finish.

Manley comfortably held throw and then came up with a brilliant 121 on the bull to break Taylor for the first time. He followed that up with a 96 finish and Taylor needed a 105 kill just to hang on in there!

Manley then won three consecutive legs to take him to the brink at 7-2. He then hit his first maximum of this year’s tournament but Taylor held throw to pinch a leg back. It didn’t matter though, as Manley won it in style with another terrific 121 finish…great stuff from ‘One Dart’

He said: “I have to keep this going now otherwise it will count for nothing. It is important for me to show people that Peter Manley is still very much alive and kicking.”

So, where does this leave Taylor? He is clearly struggling at the moment and he now has it all to do but you never ever write off Mr Taylor…..we shall see over the next few weeks.

Taylor said: “It just isn’t going right for me on the stage at the moment. I am getting nervous and it is affecting me. I have never had to deal with something like this before but I will be working very hard to put it right.”

It has been a spectacular Premier League debut and it just gets better and better for James Wade…..top of the pile and now the only unbeaten player in the Premier League

‘The Machine’ was firing tungsten bullets and blitzed John Part 8-4 to gain some revenge for his defeat by the Canadian in the quarter-finals of the World Championship.

“I played well and I feel very comfortable at the moment. I got on a roll and when I am in that sort of form, I am very difficult to stop. I really am enjoying every minute of the Premier League and can’t wait for Bournemouth!” Wade said.

That’s because it’s Wade against a certain Mr Barneveld – a battle for top spot!

The all-Unicorn affair looked like being a close run thing, as the first five legs went with throw and Part led 3-2…..but that’s when Wade found another gear. He won five consecutive legs – starting with an 11-darter, a series of 180s and some quality finishing.

Part’s game simply fell apart!

He did win one more leg after Wade missed two match darts but it only delayed the inevitable. It really was a five star James Wade performance.

Last week, he beat Phil Taylor 8-5 and in Coventry, he dished out the same treatment to Barney! ‘The Bull’ was rampant again….a great performance from Terry Jenkins.

Both had their chances in a high quality affair and in the end there was only one break of throw…..Jenkins hit a superb 91 in the 10th leg to establish a 6-4 lead and that was enough.

They were both hitting 180s for fun….and Jenkins also took the £1,000 bonus for the highest check-out. In the 7th leg, Barneveld was sitting on 68 to break the throw, when the Unicorn ace came up with a quite brilliant 156 finish! Barney then took out a 131 to make it four apiece but Jenkins held his nerve and his finishing was spot on all night.

His favourite double top gave him the 8-5 win, which moves him into the top four.

“I am really enjoying my darts again,” he said. “I hope I have proved something up there and now I am gunning to make it a hat-trick of wins over World Champions against John Part in Bournemouth!”

The last couple of weeks have certainly been much more like the Terry Jenkins we have come to know and love over the last two years…..and last year’s Premier League runner-up is sure to ruffle a few more feathers in what is turning out to be the most exciting and wide open Premier League in the history of the event.

Adrian Lewis maintained his challenge for a semi-final spot with a thrilling victory over Wayne Mardle….it went all the way but Lewis held his nerve and hit ‘The Jackpot’ thanks to his finishing……he was good on the doubles, Mardle was dismal.

Lewis started the match with a 180 and that set the tone, as he won the first leg against the throw in 13 darts. Mardle hit straight back and then back-to-back maximums gave him a 2-1 lead….Lewis then reeled off three legs on the spin, only for Mardle to level again at 4-4…but Lewis broke again and produced a brilliant 12 dart leg to edge 6-4 in front.

‘Hawaii 501’ held his throw and the 12th leg proved absolutely crucial because the Essex man missed six darts to break back and Lewis nailed D9….Mardle then held his throw, so it went to the decider and his fifth 180 set up the chance for the draw but he missed one dart at D20 and in stepped Lewis with D8 for a big, big win.

“The finishing was the difference and this is an important win of that, there’s no doubt,” said Lewis. “Also, I think going back practicing with Phil (Taylor) has certainly helped. We are not overdoing it but it has been fun.”

Week four results:

John Part 4-8 James Wade
Wayne Mardle 6-8 Adrian Lewis
Peter Manley 8-3 Phil Taylor
Terry Jenkins 8-5 Raymond Van Barneveld

Latest Premier League standings:

1 – James Wade 7pts

2 – Raymond Van Barneveld 6pts

3 – Adrian Lewis 5pts

4 – Terry Jenkins 4pts

5 – Peter Manley 4pts

6 – John Part 3 pts

7 – Phil Taylor 2 pts

8 – Wayne Mardle 1pt

Week five schedule – BICC, Bournemouth:

Adrian Lewis v Peter Manley
Phil Taylor v Wayne Mardle
James Wade v Raymond Van Barneveld
John Part v Terry Jenkins

BY STUART PYKE