Michael van Gerwen preserved his two-point lead at the top of the Premier League with victory over Raymond van Barneveld on a night when Gerwyn Price was eliminated.

Nearest challenger Michael Smith had applied the pressure by moving level with Van Gerwen courtesy of a stunning 7-2 win over winless Price, whose fate was sealed a week before Judgement Night.

But Van Gerwen responded in style in Belfast, averaging 104.47 with a checkout percentage of 70, to beat his fellow Dutchman 7-2 and maintain his position at the summit.

Mensur Suljovic or Peter Wright, the 2017 runner-up, will follow Price out of the competition early in Liverpool next week.

Wright fought back from 6-3 down to salvage a draw against Simon Whitlock, moving one point above the bottom two, but Suljovic was edged out 7-5 by play-off chasing Gary Anderson.

A return home brought the best out of Daryl Gurney as he ended Rob Cross’ five-match winning streak in style.

The Northern Irishman delighted the SSE Arena crowd by throwing nine maximums in a 7-5 victory over the world champion which secured his safety and boosted his play-off hopes.