Premier League Darts LIVE: Result as Luke Littler throws nine-darter to claim biggest title of career
The 17-year-old darts sensation picked up his biggest title yet after beating world number one Luke Humphries 11-7
Luke Littler stormed to an enthralling 11-7 win in the Premier League Darts final to capture the biggest title of his career in front of 40,000 fans at the O2 Arena.
The 17-year-old easily overcame his semi-final opponent Michael Smith, winning 10-5 and showcasing his impressive talent to an already excited O2 crowd.
And Luke Humphries was equally impressive in his semi-final win over Michael van Gerwen, easing to a 10-5 win to set up a rematch of the world championship final.
The pair couldn’t be separated after the first 10 legs, heading into the break at 5-5, both having showcased why they’re the two leading players in their sport.
But it was Littler who really showed his class in the second period, landing an exceptional nine-darter to take a lead that he never relinquished.
The teenager finally fought off a brief challenge from Humphries to take the match 11-7 and land what may well be the first of many Premier League titles.
Premier League Darts Finals Night LIVE
Luke Littler 4-3 Luke Humphries
Easy checkout on 20 from Littler, who lands an easy double 10.
Premier League Darts Finals Night LIVE
Luke Littler 3-3 Luke Humphries
180 from Littler again to begin the seventh leg. He’s well ahead in this one, needing just 105 to Humphries’ 326.
Premier League Darts Finals Night LIVE
Luke Littler 3-3 Luke Humphries
140 from each player to open the sixth leg. Humphries ahead needing 108 to Littler’s 178, but he only lands 56.
Littler replies with a 138 to leave himself needing 40, but Humphries wins the leg after a 52 checkout, landing the 20 and double 16.
Premier League Darts Finals Night LIVE
Luke Littler 3-2 Luke Humphries
Instant reply from Littler, with 180 to open the fifth leg, and 140 in the second round of throws.
He’s well ahead, needing 84 for the leg, and he lands double 6 for a 3-2 lead.
Premier League Darts Finals Night LIVE
Luke Littler 2-2 Luke Humphries
Littler needing 80 here with Humphries needing 126, but he goes bust with the double 15 when needing the double 10!
He wires it on second attempt, and Humphries levels it!
Premier League Darts Finals Night LIVE
Luke Littler 2-1 Luke Humphries
Humphries hits back straight away with an impressive leg! He takes a 180 and then a 123, before checking out on 58.
Premier League Darts Finals Night LIVE
Luke Littler 2-0 Luke Humphries
A 180 from Humphries followed by a 100 to take him down to 76, but he only lands 36!
Littler can only get 86 of the 124, but Humphries misses the checkout of 40, going bust on a double 15 when needing double 10!
Littler replies by taking the second leg too, breaking the throw with a double 5.
Premier League Darts Finals Night LIVE
Luke Littler 1-0 Luke Humphries
Underway in the 115th and final game of this Premier League! Littler throws first.
Close in the opening throws, with Littler needing 205 and Humphries 181.
Littler down to 125 and Humphries 58.
Humphries misses for the 58 checkout and Littler takes the first leg, landing the double 10!
Humphries is next out, with both Lukes looking focused and determined, as you’d expect. Humphries certainly looks the more relaxed of the two though!
The world number one is encouraging the crowd in their rendition of “I Predict a Riot”.
Premier League Darts Finals Night LIVE
This final is a particularly tough one to call, with both players showing a steely determination in their semi-finals.
Humphries had a slightly more impressive semi-final performance, and of course won their match in the final of the world championship.
Both players are making their way out to the stage now – Littler first up.
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