feeling we were going to come back and win that

Michael van Gerwen denied Phil Taylor a 16th World Matchplay title on Sunday night, but what did we learn from our week in Blackpool? MVG romps to Matchplay glory Full report of Sundays final Blackpool is still Taylors best betTaylors hopes of ending his drab run without a trophy should remain centred around the World Matchplay, despite falling at the final hurdle on Sunday night. He has a stunning record at the tournament, with 15 titles since 1994 and just eight defeats in 101 matches in that time. Taylor admits MVG is his greatest ever opponent Blackpool is still the likeliest location for Taylor to end a major hoodoo that dates back to exactly two years ago, when he beat Van Gerwen in the 2014 Matchplay final. A lot has happened in those two years. The concern is that, even on his favourite patch under a format that he has historically dominated, he is still chasing Van Gerwens shadow. Will we ever see Taylor win another major?MVG a tough nut to crackYet another trophy tells us nothing we did not already know about Van Gerwens prodigious ability - he is on course to become darts greatest ever player and even Taylor acknowledged his brilliance. But we did witness something about the Dutchman that doesnt crop up too often. Our experts discuss Taylors mind-games Taylor, perhaps realising that merely duking it out at the dartboard wouldnt favour him, dipped into his vast reservoir of knowledge and forced the crowd to help. His frequent encouragement of the clap made famous by Iceland at Euro 2016 was a clear ploy to interrupt Van Gerwens concentration.The Dutchman didnt budge. Taylor wouldnt give in - and still his less experienced foe gave him short shrift. Van Gerwen not only outplayed his rival, he out-thought him too.Top four in a league of their ownThere can be little argument about the pecking order of the worlds top darts players at the moment. Rankings are unlikely to interest the players themselves, but the numbers are currently telling a story that cant be ignored. The winning dart as MVG seals the title Van Gerwen, Taylor, Gary Anderson and Adrian Lewis are significantly clear from the rest of the field as the top quartet at the oche. Their semi-final qualification in the Matchplay followed their appearance in the final four of the Premier League, while only Lewis missed the World Championship semi-finals.The likes of Peter Wright and James Wade might be able to defeat anyone on their best day, but consistently the top four form their own elite group. Van Gerwen cant be bullied Michael van Gerwen praised after World Matchplay triumph Yesterdays heroes always welcomeAn entertaining run by The Bronzed Adonis Steve Beaton was one of the highlights of the week in Blackpool, proving that theres nothing quite like a feel-good factor. Take a look at Steve Beatons walk on at the World Matchplay Beaton, the 1996 world champion, rolled back the years and forced Anderson into some very nervous moments during their quarter-final. Beaton, ultimately, was sent packing but he represented a reminder that, in the entertaining world of darts, champions from previous generations are always capable of flirting with a comeback.Big names are never safeThe Matchplay saw three established players crash out at the very first hurdle, proving that the standard of the worlds top 32 players is constantly improving. With luck like this, no wonder Klaasen bowed out... Wade, Raymond van Barneveld and Jelle Klaasen were surprisingly kicked through the exit door shortly after they had unpacked their bags at the seaside town. Mervyn King, Brendan Dolan and Beaton, respectively, were responsible for the upsets suggesting we should always keep an eye on players outside of the PDCs top ranks. Also See: MVG romps to Matchplay glory Van Gerwen cant be bullied How MVG beat Taylor... Sky Bets darts odds On Sky TV Features Get Sky Sports Wholesale Nike Air Force 1 For Sale . -- Mississippis Andrew Ritter said his game-winning, 41-yard field goal felt good off his foot. Nike Air Force 1 Sale . The 55th-ranked Istomin saved 11 of 14 break points to win in just over two hours, setting up a second round meeting with Australian Marinko Matosevic. It was the Uzbeks third win in three matches against fifth-seeded Kohlschreiber, the 2007 and 2012 tournament winner. http://www.airforce1wholesale.com/ . - While he appreciates suggestions from Packers fans of remedies for his sore left calf, Aaron Rodgers is not necessarily going to listen to the advice. Nike Air Force 1 Outlet . The Indians scored twice in the top of the ninth, getting the go-ahead run on a wild pitch by closer Matt Lindstrom. Axford (0-1) came in seeking his fifth save in as many chances. Cheap Nike Air Force 1 . Luis Enrique signed the deal with club president Josep Bartomeu two days after it was announced by the club. That was two days after coach Gerardo Martino stepped down when Barcelona finished its first season without a major trophy in six years.NEW YORK -- On the verge of winning the Stanley Cup, Drew Doughty remembers what it was like facing the same 3-0 hole the Rangers have now when the Kings faced the Sharks in the first round. What he recalled does not reflect kindly on the likes of Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Dan Boyle. "Once we won that first game of the San Jose series, we kind of had a feeling we were going to come back and win that series," Doughty said Wednesday several hours before Game 4 of the final. "And you could see it in their eyes and their team and their captains and leaders that they were worried about us coming back. So we dont want to give these guys any life." As much as Doughty was complimenting his team for putting fear into the Sharks, it certainly can be construedd as a shot at a core group that will more than likely see some changes after yet another playoff disappointment.dddddddddddd On Tuesday, coach Darryl Sutter pointed all the way back to Game 1 for the seeds of the Kings comeback against the Sharks. "We could see were not a team somebody says, go away, and we go away," Sutter said. "Were a team thats going to respond." Even when the Kings fell behind three games to none, Sutter thought it would all come together. "I saw that in period one of Game 3," he said. "We knew we were winning the series; it just took a little bit longer." The Rangers gave up a goal with 0.7 seconds left in the first period of Game 3 in the final and seemed to do little in the way of foreshadowing a similar comeback. ' ' '