Phil Taylor has qualified for the Premier Leagues play-off night at The O2, but there were further twists in the battle for a top four spot. The Power has already made amends for his failure to reach the play-offs in 2015, becoming the first player to secure qualification after a 7-2 win over Robert Thornton.Second-placed Michael van Gerwen has all but guaranteed his own appearance in London after winning both games in his double-header, but the scrap for the remaining two spots could go to the wire. Taylor booked his place in the play-offs with a 7-2 win over Robert Thornton Taylor leads the wayThe six-time champion was a shock absentee from the Premier Leagues top four places in the last campaign, missing the cut for the first time in the competitions history.Van Gerwens impressive reign as world No 1 has even raised debate about whether the Dutchman can replace the 16-time world champion as the sports greatest player, but Taylor has proven his point in the Premier League. Taylor had a message for Van Gerwen after their Premier League draw After holding Van Gerwen to a 6-6 draw in week seven, Taylor threw down the gauntlet to his young rival, telling him: Lets see at the end of the Premier League. Both men will renew their rivalry in Rotterdam on the final evening of the regular campaign and Taylor will be determined to strike another psychological blow after proving himself as the stand-out performer in the Premier League so far.MVG at the double Michael van Gerwen claimed a maximum of four points from his two matches A run of four draws in the last five weeks had suggested that Van Gerwen was running out of steam following a red-hot spell which had seen him set the highest average in a televised match. The world No 1 slipped below his sky-high standards in last nights double-header, offering a few chances to the off-colour Peter Wright in his opening 7-2 win, while he recorded an ordinary average of 96 in a closing 7-5 victory over Adrian Lewis.But like any true champion, Van Gerwen did enough to win both those matches, and the Green Machine is learning how to close out wins when he is not at his dazzling best.Twos company, threes a crowd Gary Anderson is level on points with fourth-placed Adrian Lewis Third-placed Gary Anderson, Lewis, and James Wade are only separated by a point after last nights results created even more tension in the tussle for qualification.Anderson could barely contain his anger after being held to a 6-6 draw by Wade, while Lewis ended without a point from his two games, just seven days after he had thrilled the crowd with a nine-darter.Next weeks schedule in Birmingham could be crucial for defending champion Anderson, who plays twice - against Raymond van Barneveld and Peter Wright.And it would be foolish to write off Van Barneveld, who kept his faint hopes of a top four berth alive with victory over Lewis. All wrong for Wright Peter Wright gradually fallen down the table Snakebite Wright briefly topped the table after a flying start, but his slide out of contention has prompted even more concerns about his changing equipment.Wright has tinkered with his darts since the start of the campaign, striving for that perfect set, and the lacklustre loss to Van Gerwen was further evidence of his failure to find suitable arrows.After another disappointing showing, Wright could learn from the consistent Taylor, who is thought to have stuck with the same set of darts throughout.Ray of hope? Raymond van Barneveld moved within four points of the top four Van Barneveld produced a remarkable run to the play-offs last year, although he would need an even more dramatic sequence of results to earn another semi-final spot at The O2.The Dutch veteran with the Rocky walk-on music only comes out swinging when his back is against the wall and he gleefully struck a blow to rival Lewis.If, and its a big if, Barney can beat Anderson next week then we might yet see another late charge from RVB. Also See: Taylor seals semi-final spot Prem Table Premier League darts recap Fixtures/Results Discount Under Armour . -- Mike Smith never saw his first NHL goal go in. Cheap Under Armour USA .C. -- Kemba Walker and the Charlotte Bobcats got off to a fast start, and the Sacramento Kings were never quite able to catch up. http://www.clearanceunderarmour.com/ . 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SACRAMENTO -- The Sacramento Kings took just enough encouragement from a win on the final day of a long road trip to provide comfort that their season may begin to turn around now that they get to hang out at home for a while.Their first visitor is a New Orleans Pelicans team dealing with a campaign that seems to be spinning out of control already.The Pelicans, fresh off their seventh consecutive loss to start the season, roll into Golden 1 Center on Tuesday night. They bring with them a six-game winning streak against the host Kings, but thats about the only positive thing on their end.Sacramento hasnt had many high moments in the seasons first two weeks, but a win in the finale of a five-game road trip was one of them. The Kings 96-91 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday prevented a winless trek on their five-game roadie, the teams first of the year.Much needed, Kings center DeMarcus Cousins called it. It was a confidence boost and a momentum boost.Now they begin a stretch in which seven of their next eight are at home, with coach Dave Joerger hoping his teams defense against the Raptors is an indicator of things to come. The Kings held Toronto to 36 percent shooting and turned around the game by holding the Raptors to only 16 third-quarter points while surrendering a season-low 91.That effort came after Sacramento allowed an average of 108.3 points in the first four games of the trip, including a season-high 117 in a loss at Milwaukee on Saturday. Sacramento, which finished last in the NBA allowing 109.1 points per game a season ago, was 15th (102.9) through their first six games this season.We did what were hoping to make our identity throughout the course of the year, Joerger said. Thats getting after people defensively.Offensively, Kings center DeMarcus Cousins still provides the biggest production. His 25.5-point scoring averaage ranked ninth in the NBA through Sunday, and he also was averaging 9.dddddddddddd1 rebounds, good for 19th. He clobbered the Pelicans in both categories a season ago, averaging 29.5 points and 12.5 rebounds in four games against them.The Kings didnt win any of them, however. New Orleans hasnt lost to Sacramento since Nov. 25, 2014.Continuing that success would be a welcome development for head coach Alvin Gentry, whose teams season-opening seven-game skid is one longer than a season ago. The Pelicans overcame a 21-point deficit at Golden State on Monday before losing 116-106. That loss followed two straight overtime defeats.As Gentry tries to hold his team together, its season appears to be crumbling. The Pelicans already were without guards Jrue Holiday (personal reasons), Tyreke Evans (right knee) and Quincy Poindexter (left knee), when they lost guard Lance Stephenson to a groin injury last week.New Orleans released Stephenson on Monday and signed guard Archie Goodwin to replace him.I dont know what to say. It just sucks, center Anthony Davis said of New Orleans early struggles. Weve got to keep fighting. Just keep fighting and find a way to win.Center Anthony Davis hasnt been the problem. He finished Mondays game against the Warriors averaging 30.4 points and 12.0 rebounds per game. Davis has tallied 30 percent of New Orleans points and 28 percent of their boards.The Kings chances depend on stopping him. Davis, now in his third year out of Kentucky -- the same college Cousins attended -- averaged a team-high 27.3 points and 11.3 rebounds in three games against Sacramento a season ago.Sacramento will welcome back point guard Darren Collison after his eight-game suspension for a domestic violence incident. ' ' '