Raymond van Barneveld and James Wade kicked off the Premier League Darts season with impressive victories but there were difficult defeats for Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor. REPORT: Barney batters Taylor All the details from Leeds on PL opening night Ah, weve missed the darts! But what did we learn from last Thursdays opening night in Leeds?Weve looked back over the results and given our assessment… When will Wade get credit? James Wade v Michael Van Gerwen - Premier League Darts Wade can be world beater Wayne Mardle credits The Machine Has anybody out there backed James Wade to be crowned 2016 Premier League Darts champion? If not, why not? The Machine outplayed Michael van Gerwen and defeated the worlds top player 7-4 having conceded the first three legs yet isnt always mentioned among the likeliest contenders for the top prizes.Hes No 6 in the world and reached the top of the mountain in 2009 in the Premier League so knows what it takes to lift the big trophies. People arent beating Michael when they have their chance, Wade told Sky Sports before their match-up and it appeared like he would join that unsuccessful list when he went 3-0 down.But Wades darts are meticulous and methodical, rather than the type of explosiveness than Van Gerwen demonstrated in the video above. Perhaps thats why Van Gerwen, Gary Anderson and co are frequently favoured above Wade, but the Aldershot thrower proved on the opening night that he has the arsenal to beat anybody.Barney can still rise to the occasion Highlights as Barney defeated Taylor At this point in his career, we know that Raymond van Barneveld has the audacity to defeat any player on the PDC roster but the issue arises when he must do it consistently. Take the World Championships in January, for example, when he delivered a classic display to eliminate Van Gerwen but was then flung out by Adrian Lewis.He threw with almost unerring accuracy at his doubles in a 7-2 thrashing of Phil Taylor on the Premier Leagues opening night. Hitting all six of his first darts at a double, he then crucially missed as he threw for a tournament record. It didnt matter, as Taylor had already been overwhelmed by this point and Van Barneveld cruised over the finishing line.The result cant be attributed to Taylors performance - he hit a lovely 113 checkout - because Van Barneveld simply didnt give him a moment to breathe. Its a perfect start for the Dutch master, the 2014 Premier League winner, but will he still be competitive by the time we head to his home country for the Rotterdam leg?MvG isnt unbeatable MVG hit this stunning checkout... but it wasnt enough No sportsman or woman is indestructible but Van Gerwens form over the past couple of years makes him as intimidating as any of his dominant peers across other sporting landscapes. That fearsome reputation has been earned but weve seen a few cracks in the windscreen recently.Wade wore him down with relentless scoring last Thursday, and it wasnt long before an uncomfortable Van Gerwen had a frustrated scowl on his face. He won last week Masters in Milton Keynes but losing to Wade was his first Sky Sports appearance since he was beaten by Van Barneveld at Ally Pally. Your memory might even stretch far back enough to remember Van Gerwens shock loss to Robert Thornton in the World Grand Prix final in October.Of course, these examples of defeat are hand-picked and do not reflect the green-clad Dutchmans vice-like grip over darts. Although Anderson might be creeping up on Van Gerwens No 1 spot dont expect him to remain in the losing column for long. And who does Van Gerwen play next week in the Premier League? Anderson.Premier League is a baptism of fire Funny moment as Lewis third dart gets stuck between other two Everyone has to earn their stripes somewhere but inexperience on the Premier League circuit can be an unforgiving and inhospitable existence. Michael Smith, the world No 8, is touted as one of darts rising stars by everybody in-the-know but endured a miserable start to his Premier League career.Picked in the 10-man line-up for the first time, Smith lost a coin toss which forced him to compete twice last Thursday to cover for Andersons late withdrawal. He was dealt a harsh lesson in his first match, losing 7-2 to Peter Wright, before Adrian Lewis mercilessly beat him 7-1. In the second outing Smith never appeared settled or recovered from his first loss, and Lewis offered words of sympathy at the conclusion of the drubbing.Thornton, meanwhile, returned to the Premier League after a year out and just couldnt adapt quickly enough. Dave Chisnall whitewashed him, reminding Thornton what life is like in the fast lane. For Smith and Thornton in particular, the learning curve will be steep.Anderson must make up ground Gary Anderson is yet to start his Premier League title defence The reigning champion withdrew from the opening night at a few hours notice due to illness meaning hes already got some making up to do. At some point this season he will be forced to play twice in the same night which, in such a quick format tournament, brings unique challenges.As mentioned, Smith found the double outing too tough to handle but Anderson, in contrast, is vastly experienced at this level. He will need to call on every ounce of composure to begin the defence of his title a week later than his nine challengers. You can watch the second round of Premier League action, live on Sky Sports 1 from 7pm in Newcastle on Thursday, or watch without a contract on NOW TV.We will be building up to the coverage on our live blog here www.skysports.com/darts and the Sky Sports app will keep you up to date with all the action. Also See: Brutal Barney shuts Power off Wade has the whole game WATCH: Ten years at the top Whos got the X Factor? Los Angeles Lakers Shirts . Francis told several hundred members of the European Olympic Committees that when sport "is considered only in economic terms and consequently for victory at every cost . Lakers Jerseys 2019 . They reached the 100-point plateau for the fourth time in five games, bested the visiting Trail Blazers by 34 in the paint and scored 19 of the final 25 points in regulation. https://www.lakersjerseycheap.com/ . "No difference at all," chirped U.S. roommate and linemate James van Riemsdyk. "Its still the same cranky Phil. Wholesale Lakers Jerseys . Laudrup revealed Thursday he was notified of his dismissal in "the briefest of letters which gave no reasons why such hasty and final action was deemed necessary. Fake Lakers Jerseys . -- Vincent Lecavalier got everything but the desired result in his return to Tampa Bay.Stoke City stole the headlines on Deadline Day with their record £18.3m deal for Portos Giannelli Imbula, but there were plenty of moves that did not come to fruition. Loic Remy ended up staying at Stamford Bridge despite weeks of speculation linking him with an exit, while West Brom managed to resist strong interest from Newcastle, Tottenham and Stoke to keep hold of Saido Berahino.Here, we look at five players left on the shelf after their mooted January transfers hit the buffers… LOIC REMY (Chelsea) Rob Dorsett confirms Leicesters failed attempt to sign Loic Remy Having played just 178 minutes of Premier League football since the start of the season, out-of-favour Chelsea striker Remy became one of the most talked-about targets of the transfer window. Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and his former club Newcastle were reportedly linked with the Frenchman, and on Deadline Day league leaders Leicester were pushing to strike a deal.We were told a loan deal was a possibility for Leicester but the crucial factor was that they had to wait until quite late in the day because Chelsea wanted to know what was happening with [Radamel] Falcao before they would let Loic Remy leave, said Sky Sports News HQ reporter Rob Dorsett. Premier League spend tops ￡1bn Premier League spending in a single season has gone over ￡1billion for the first time. If Falcao was to have his loan cancelled at Chelsea, there was no way they were letting Remy go. In the end, they decided to let Falcao go and Leicester were left frustrated, with not a lot of time in the window to do anything else. To compound matters for the Foxes, Falcao ended up staying at Stamford Bridge.RADAMEL FALCAO (Chelsea) Chelseas Radamel Falcao was reportedly linked with a late move away from Stamford Bridge Despite injury problems and poor form, on-loan Chelsea outcast Falcao was reportedly linked with a return to Spain on Deadline Day. Newspaper reports said the Colombian striker was wanted by his former club Atletico Madrid and Gary Nevilles Valencia, but Sky Sports Spanish football expert Guillem Balague insists Falcaos agent, Jorge Mendes, was merely attempting to drum up interest.Jose Mendes was trying to sell him, Balague told Sky Sports. Neither Atletico or Valencia were interested. Valencia couldnt afford him as they have reached the Financial Fair Play limit and Atletico did not even consider it. Mersons transfer window grades Paul Merson grades every Premier Leagues January business - from A+ to Z-... According to the Daily Mail, however, Falcao could yet get secure a lucrative move to Asia, with the Chinese transfer market open until February 26. Juangus Suning, the club who paid £25m for Chelseas Ramires, are reportedly interested in signing the striker.SAIDO BERAHINO (West Brom) West Brom manager Tony Pulis refused to sell striker Saido Berahino West Broms Berahino was one of the chief protagonists of the summer transfer window and his future was at the top of the news agenda once again in January. Stoke, Tottenham and Newcastle were his leading suitors, but the Baggies refused to sell, with Sky sources revealing they rejeected £21m offers from the Magpies and the Potters in the build-up to Deadline Day.ddddddddddddSky Sports News HQs Anton Touloui said West Brom were reluctant to part with Berahino because they were confident of receiving a similar transfer fee in the summer, they didnt want to strengthen a relegation rival, and they would not have had time to bring in a replacement so late in the window. Berahino stays put West Brom rejected bids from Newcastle and Stoke to keep hold of Saido Berahino. Berahino was fined for protesting on Twitter when he was denied a move to Spurs in the summer, but this time he was rather more diplomatic. Everyone waiting once again for the silly little spoilt boy to make same mistake so here you go, he wrote. Goodnight all and thanks for the supportJOSE ENRIQUE (Liverpool) Jose Enrique has been a peripheral figure for Liverpool in recent months Newcastle also targeted their former full-back Jose Enrique in a frantic dash to strengthen their squad on Deadline Day. The 30-year-old had a four-year spell at St James Park before his £5m move to Liverpool in 2011, but he had fallen down the pecking order at Anfield and the Magpies were confident of luring him back. Story of the transfer window A day-by-day account of how the January transfer window unfolded. Unfortunately for Steve McClaren, however, Enrique failed to agree personal terms. Liverpool were quite keen to allow Enrique to go but talks between Newcastle and the player himself have broken down, said Sky Sports News HQs Keith Downie. It looks as though he wont be coming. That will be a disappointment to Steve McClaren because hes short on left-back options with Paul Dummett and Massadio Haidara both out injured.P