Michael van Gerwen secured top spot in the Premier League for the sixth season in a row with a 7-2 thrashing of Rob Cross in Birmingham – and described his performance as “phenomenal”.

The Dutchman dished out a mauling in the Midlands to exact revenge on Cross, who knocked out van Gerwen in the semi-finals at Alexandra Palace last December en route to beating Phil Taylor in the final to become the new world champion.

‘Mighty Mike’ collected a £25,000 league leader’s bonus as he posted a 111.57 average – the highest of this year’s Premier League – and secured a place in the play-offs, along with Cross and Michael Smith.

He told www.pdc.tv: “I think it was a phenomenal game from me, I did the right things when I had to. I know I have to perform well every week and I have to make sure I do the right things at the right times.

“You have to keep Rob under pressure because he has a lot of confidence, and I did that. I didn’t make many mistakes and it was a great win for me. I’m so happy to be top for a sixth season.”

The Netherlands crowd-pleaser and 1.50 favourite in the outright winner betting said: “I know I’m the best but I have to make sure I go out at prove it every week.

The pressure if off me now and I can make sure I’m fully focused going to The O2.”

Daryl Gurney hit checkouts of 147 and 167 but still had to settle for a 6-6 draw against Smith, while Australia’s Simon Whitlock kick-started the night with a 7-4 win over Peter Wright and Gary Anderson suffered back-to-back defeats in a 7-3 reverse by Raymond van Barneveld.

‘The Flying Scotsman’ is quoted 5.25 in the outright winner betting, Cross is currently priced 6.50 and Smith is available to back at 12.00.