It was hardly a night of finishing to inspire a new generation from Chris Dobey and Stephen Bunting, but Dobey did enough to pick up his first Premier League since the opening week.

Dobey averaged 90.27, missing 10 of his 16 attempts at doubles.

Bunting's average was down at 87.05. He missed 15 of his 17 darts at doubles and had a finishing percentage of 11.8%.

Stephen Bunting has to win four legs in a row from here and a fourth 180 from him helps his cause.

Chris Dobey's response? Back-to-back maximums.

Bunting can't take out 122 and in two darts, Dobey sees off 41 for a 6-2 win.

Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

It is all going wrong for Stephen Bunting. He'll struggle to find any positives if he loses this match.

Image source, PA Media

Stephen Bunting really has it all to do from here and starts the leg off with a 180, knowing he has to win four out of the next five to avoid a seventh straight loss.

At a finish of 125 first, Bunting leaves 20.

Dobey needs 120 for a 5-2 lead, but fails to land a treble of any kind.

Bunting splits double 10 and goes over twice at double five, but three 16s from Dobey allow him back.

Could it get worse for Bunting? It can. He splits double five and then busts on the remaining five.

Dobey takes out double eight for the leg.

Rod Studd
Commentator on Sky Sports

It is not convincing from Chris Dobey but he is infront and that is all that really matters.

At a crucial time and against the throw, Chris Dobey picks up his first 180, although it cannot get him down to a finish.

He is at an outshot first on 86, with Stephen Bunting waiting for a go at the same number for a hold.

Dobey lands the treble 18 set up, but goes wide on his two darts at double 16. Bunting does exactly the same.

Dobey pins it with his next attempt to go 4-2 up.

Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

Relief for Chris Dobey. It is opportunities missed from Stephen Bunting. How important could that leg be?

Chris Dobey is playing with an elment of frustration, knowing how big those misses at double 14 could prove to be.

Bunting gets three darts at 87 for another break of throw. 17, 20, 25. Almost there.

On 74, Dobey leaves double 20 after the first two darts but ends up putting the third over the bar.

Bunting comes back for the remaining 25 and misses twice on double eight.

Dobey holds throw, just. Missing double 20 and double 10 before just nestling his final dart into the 10s.

Troy Luen
BBC Sport Wales at Utilita Arena, Cardiff

Image source, PA Media

Walking through Cardiff’s city centre on the way to the arena, the fans were already in fine voice and they haven’t stopped signing since they walked through the doors.

Welsh sporting crowds love a good sing-song, and after precious little to sing about during the men’s Six Nations, they’re stretching their lungs this evening.

Image source, PA Media

Back on his throw, Stephen Bunting starts the fourth leg with visits of 140 and 180.

After nine darts, he needs 121 and will get at least six darts for a level match, possibly more.

A hat-trick of treble 18s from Chris Dobey puts the pressure on Bunting, who misses his one chance at double 16.

Back aiming for the same bed, Bunting misses both sides of the wire and then a dart at double eight.

A messy end to the leg as Dobey misses three darts at double 14. Bunting pins the eights for 2-2.

Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

That was a big dart for Bunting, almost an element of relief.

Having already been broken, Stephen Bunting finds himself looking to chase down and put pressure onto Chris Dobey.

Bunting gets down to a finish first on 150, with Dobey waiting for a crack at 132.

The Bullet leaves 52 after a missed treble 18 and is allowed back as Dobey also leaves 52.

Splitting the double 16, Bunting takes out the eights for a break of throw and a huge roar from this Cardiff crowd.

A competitive start from both men, Stephen Bunting finds the first 180 of the evening to get down to a finish first

Like the opening leg, The Bullet's first out shot is met without finding a treble.

His next darts leave one dart at double seven, which also misses and on double eight, Dobey breaks throw.

Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

That is a confident hold of throw.

A reminder that both men enter this match on the back of six-match losing streaks in the 2025 Premier League.

Chris Dobey gets down to a finish first, needing 70. One dart at double 16 goes wide.

A trebleless visit from Stephen Bunting allows Dobey back and Hollywood pins it in one dart for the lead.

Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

These two are actually playing good stuff they both just need a win.

Early signs from Cardiff are that this crowd will be among the best we have seen so far in the 2025 Premier League.

Chris Dobey gets a cracking reception on his way to the stage, but Stephen Bunting completely gazumps him with his now iconic walk-out to Sia's "Titanium."

This feels like a huge match for both men and their chances of making a real go of this season in the Premier League.

Dobey to throw first, game on!

Image source, Getty Images

Starting Thursday night's matches in Cardiff is a bottom of the table clash between Chris Dobey and Stephen Bunting, who head into this match seventh and eighth in the table respectively.

Dobey has won two matches this season, but both came on the opening night in February. All of Hollywood's past six Premier League matches this season have ended in defeats.

"The Bullet" is bottom of the table after losing all six of his quarter-finals, but has averaged almost 99 in the competition so far this term.

The two men have already faced each other twice in 2025, with Bunting winning both encounters at the UK Open and Bahrain Darts Masters.

Chris Dobey speaking to Sky Sports: "What a weekend it was [seeing Newcastle winning the EFL Cup at Wembley] - I wish we could do it all again. It was a great feeling being with all my mates who have travelled all over the place. To see us lift a trophy against probably the best team in the league is great.

"I'm ready for tonight. I'm refreshed and hopefully the darts do the talking.

"It does feel like a must-win game. we'll both be up for it. It does feel like do or die. We can't dwell on defeats and it is big for both of us."

Image source, Getty Images

Chris Dobey v Stephen Bunting starts us off this evening. Newcastle v Liverpool.

Where have we seen that recently...