Michael van Gerwen hit the top of the Premier League with another stellar showing, while Phil Taylor looks to be returning to his best - what did we learn from another thrilling night of darts? How were we going to follow Aberdeen and Van Gerwens record-breaking 123.4 average? Well the Dutchman dropped a cheeky 116.7 average, the fourth highest in the competition and the sixth highest in history.Mighty Mike dropped the first leg but found his rhythm soon after, winning seven of the next eight in scintillating style. It wasnt for lack of competition. Peter Wright averaged 109 and didnt miss a double, but Van Gerwen gave the flamboyant Scot very little opportunity to finish a leg. Having defended his Masters and Dutch Masters titles, Van Gerwen got back to where he feels he belongs in the Premier League with victory over Wright seeing him leapfrog Snakebite to take top spot heading into this weekends UK Open.Taylor looks like he is showing signs of being back to his very best following another commanding performance and there was a very welcome first victory of the competition for Michael Smith. But on a raucous night in Exeter, it was Van Gerwen who once again stole the show.Darts weve never seenVan Gerwen continued in imperious form, beating Wright 7-2 to take top spot for the first time and another incredible performance led Sky Sports expert Wayne Mardle to question whether the Dutchman is overtaking Taylor as the greatest player ever.It is debatable because you cant compare the two. Phil Taylor was utterly dominant in an era of good players, but nowhere near the quality of today. Since October 2012, Michael van Gerwen has dominated like Phil Taylor did back in the day. He won 18 tournaments last year and looks like an absolute machine. No one on this planet has ever played darts like Michael van Gerwen is right now, including Phil Taylor. Wayne Mardle on Michael van Gerwen Van Gerwens 116.7 average means that his last two performances are the best of his Premier League career, and he was pleased with his form.Im really glad I brought the confidence through from last week, Van Gerwen told Sky Sports.You need to be confident and focused otherwise you cant perform at this level. Im always trying to do my best, and Ill try to do even better next week.Wayne Mardle was full of praise for the Dutchman, who will face heavy scoring Dave Chisnall in Nottingham next week.He said: Michael van Gerwen is becoming unplayable. Its darts like weve never seen. No one on this planet has ever played darts like Michael van Gerwen is right now, including Phil Taylor. Wayne Mardle and Rod Harrington debate whether Michael van Gerwen can replace Phil Taylor as the best darts player of all time Off the markMichael Smith won his first ever Premier League match, beating Raymond van Barneveld 7-5 to keep hopes of a play-off place alive.It was an edgy affair, with both players missing big opportunities. Smith, who went 3-1 up in the early stages, had chances for a 5-2 lead, but instead saw himself pegged back to 4-4 by the Dutchman.Nerves were evident in the ninth when Smith, only requiring double top, threw high to allow Barney in to steal the advantage. Bully Boy had the last word though, as he stormed back to grasp victory.The timing couldnt be better for Smith, as he faces mentor and manager Gary Anderson next week. Michael Smith recorded his first victory of his debut Premier League campaign (Pic courtesy Lawrence Lustig/PDC) Powers point to proveTaylor kept the pressure on Van Gerwen, beating Adrian Lewis 7-1 in the opening match of the night. The Power, whose average of 115 last week was overshadowed by Van Gerwen, followed it up with a 104 in Exeter, giving Lewis no opportunity to build momentum.It was a tough night for Jackpot, who never found his rhythm, missing a few key doubles in the early legs. After an opportunity to take the second leg went begging, Lewis quickly found himself 5-0 down and the contest was effectively over. Premier League Night Five Report from Thursdays action in Nottingham Lewis has still never won a match in Exeter but he did avoid the whitewash, taking the sixth leg, before Taylor took the last two, and the six-time Premier League winner was keen to eradicate the memories of watching last years finals on TV.Taylor said: I sat at home, watching the O2 last year, and I was gutted. Ive been practicing hard, changed a few things, and Im hoping for the O2. Thats what Im after.Friendship with no benefitsJames Wade kept pressure on those at the top of the table, beating close friend Dave Chisnall 7-4. Both players missed clinical opportunities, and Wade put the faults down to their friendship away from the oche.I spend a lot of time with Dave throughout the season, Wade told Sky Sports. James Wades sizzling 161 checkout against Dave Chisnall was the biggest finish of the night Its hard to play a true friend, and thats why I think Dave didnt play as well tonight, and maybe why I didnt play as well as I can.The win was important for Wade who, despite posting good numbers, had lost his last two matches. The result keeps him just two points from the top.A champions grit Gary Anderson defeated fellow Scot Robert Thornton in a scrappy match (Pic by Lawrence Lustig) Reigning Premier League champion and two time champion of the world Gary Anderson notched his second win of the season against an erratic Robert Thornton, claiming a 7-4 win as both players failed to punish the others mistakes.Anderson found himself 3-0 down, having failed to make a double in seven attempts. However the Flying Scotsman dug deep, punishing Thorntons inaccuracies to win seven of the next eight legs and take the game despite a sub-90 average.Both players have struggled for form, and it doesnt get any easier for the Thorn, who faces Phil Taylor in Nottingham next week. Premier League NIght Six - Fixtures Michael Smith v Gary Anderson Peter Wright v Adrian Lewis Raymond van Barneveld v James Wade Robert Thornton v Phil Taylor Dave Chisnall v Michael van Gerwen Also See: MVG goes top after Wright victory WATCH: The best ever? Night five as it happened Premier League table Michael Wacha Jersey . Siddikur, whose previous win on the circuit came in Brunei three years ago, finished his bogey-free round with a birdie on the 18th for a total of 17-under 199. Indias Shiv Chowrasia, who has finished runner-up in this tournament twice, was in second place after a 66. Vince Coleman Cardinals Jersey . It was Kerbers third final of the year after losing to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia in Monterrey in April and to Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic in Tokyo two weeks ago. The 10th-ranked German improved her record in finals to 3-5. http://www.authenticcardinalspro.com/cardinals-miles-mikolas-jersey/ . -- Lou Brocks shoulder-to-shoulder collision with Bill Freehan during the 1968 World Series and Pete Roses bruising hit on Ray Fosse in the 1970 All-Star game could become relics of baseball history, like the dead-ball era. Brett Cecil Jersey . Once again, DeLaet finished tied for second at a PGA Tour stop on the weekend, this time at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The pride of Weyburn, Sask. Chris Carpenter Cardinals Jersey .Y. -- Syracuse has turned up the defence at the right time all season, and when High Point threatened to pull off a monumental upset the second-ranked Orange did what they do best with their quick hands and savvy play. ' ' '