PHIL TAYLOR maintained his 100 per cent start to the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts season with an 8-2 rout of Raymond van Barneveld at the Westpoint Arena in Exeter.

The 15-time World Champion came from 2-0 down to win eight successive legs against the Dutchman.

Taylor sealed victory with a 116 checkout to ensure that he remains two points clear of Mervyn King.

"I'm pleased to get the win but I felt the pressure a little bit and started slowly," said Taylor. "I expected Raymond to click into gear, but when I went in front his head dropped and he wasn't the same player.

"When you see a weakness you have to exploit your opponent and hit them hard and that's what people are doing to Raymond at the moment."

King picked up his third win of the season with an impressive 8-5 win over Terry Jenkins.

Ronnie Baxter won his second successive match, seeing off Simon Whitlock 8-6 in a thriller.

The night's other game saw reigning champion James Wade pick up his first point with a draw against Adrian Lewis.