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
Smith is next out, with both players getting an expectedly warm reception.
Both look very focused, with Smith showing a little more emotion as the two embrace.
Premier League Darts Finals Night LIVE
It’s time for the first semi-final, with both players making their walk-outs shortly.
Littler is first, walking out having topped the league in his first tournament appearance. We’re minutes away from the first darts.
Premier League Darts Finals Night LIVE
Wayne Mardle and Mark Webster are up on stage speaking to host Emma Paton.
Webster says that he “expects Luke Littler to win his semi-final”, using “the swagger of finishing top of the league”.
“This is a separate event but he’ll want to win and cap off the rollercoaster of the six months he’s had.”
Speaking to Sky earlier, Michael Smith said that his underdog tag “doesn’t bother me whatsoever”.
““If all the pressure is on them three then I can just relax and chill out.”
Premier League Darts Finals Night LIVE
We’re almost set for the first semi-final night, with both players getting some late practice in before coming out.
Ahead of the tie, Luke Littler told Sky Sports that he loves “playing in front of crowds”, and would “rather be playing on a stage than behind closed doors”.
“I’ve said I might win when it matters. I would be happy to win it, I’m young, living my dream, if I get my hands on the trophy I’ll be happy.”
Premier League Darts Finals Night LIVE
The first tie of the night pits teenage sensation Luke Littler against 2023’s world champion Michael Smith.
Littler may have finished 11 points ahead of his compatriot in the Premier League table, but he was second best in the pair’s head-to-head during the tournament. Smith won five of the matches they played against each other, with Littler winning the other two.
Can Littler overcome his recent ‘nemesis’?
Premier League Darts Finals Night LIVE
A reminder of the ties and timings for tonight.
Luke Littler will face last year’s world champion Michael Smith in one semi-final, with world number one Luke Humphries taking on reigning tournament champion – and seven-time winner – michael van Gerwen.
The semi-finals will begin with Littler’s tie around 7.15pm BST, with the second tie taking place around an hour later, and the final scheduled for around 9.15pm BST.
Is Premier League Darts final on TV? Channel, start time and how to watch online tonight
With just 15 minutes to go until the semi-finals get started, here’s a reminder of how you can follow tonight’s action.
The action from the 02 Arena is set to get going at around 7.30pm BST. It will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action, with coverage beginning at 7pm BST. Sky Sports customers can stream the live action online using the Sky Go app and website.
Below is everything you need to know.
How to watch the Premier League Darts final on TV and online tonight
Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith face off at the O2 Arena
Michael Smith: Players should be grateful Luke Littler is filling our pockets
Michael Smith has told fellow darts players to stop moaning about Luke Littler and think about the extra money the 17-year-old is making them.
Littler has been handed a seat at the top table of darts after his stunning breakthrough at the World Championship over Christmas saw him transcend the sport.
He has been given opportunities a player of his ranking would not normally get, such as a place in the Premier League, where he subsequently topped the table in the league phase, and invitations to World Series events.
That has irked some of the lower-ranked players, but Smith has told them to shut up and be grateful Littler is on the scene.
“He’s amazing pushing the PDC boys even further,” said the 2023 world champion.
“There’s a few getting upset with it but listen my pockets get full every time he gets mentioned.
“I think they are getting annoyed. I had it last year, Littler is getting it all now. I don’t think they are happy that he’s getting everything. I’m not bothered,” he added.
Michael Smith: Players should be grateful Luke Littler is filling our pockets
Littler has hit the headlines this year.
Luke Littler knows Premier League play-off night is the ‘one that matters’
And ahead of finals night, Littler knows the hard work is still ahead as he eyes winning the Premier League crown on debut.
The 17-year-old was handed a wildcard into the weekly roadshow tournament on the back of his mesmerising run to the World Championship final over Christmas.
And he has looked the part, topping the league phase with a record amount of points in the current format while also winning four nightly events on the way to the play-offs at the O2 Arena in London.
“I can’t wait to play in front of another big crowd,” he said. “I just can’t wait to get going.
“I am just glad I got the call-up, I am just glad I topped the group, never mind qualify. This is the one that matters, the trophy is on the line.
“I have just been thinking to myself try and win when it matters, tomorrow it matters a lot.
“It would mean a lot to win on debut and win a first major. I have to get past Smithy first.”
Luke Littler knows Premier League play-off night is the ‘one that matters’
The 17-year-old finished top of the table.
Luke Littler’s new nemesis stands in his way on Premier League Darts finals night
Such is the energy coursing through darts right now that 18,000 people will fill a sold-out O2 Arena tonight for the final of the Premier League. Five months on from the World Championship, the Luke Littler effect remains a powerful force.
There were naturally some questions about whether the 17-year-old could handle the Premier League’s intensity, but over the 16 weekly nights Littler not only matched the sport’s established kings but rose above them, finishing on top of the standings with 40 points.
Four players qualified for finals: Littler takes on Michael Smith in the first best-of-19 semi-final of the evening, before world No 1 Luke Humphries faces the great Michael van Gerwen in the other.
Littler already has a number of titles on his CV, but his semi-final opponent has become something of a nemesis. Smith won the first night and the last too, and he arrives in London with form and confidence. His record against Littler in this Premier League season reads won 5, lost 2 – Smith will hold no fear going into their match.
Luke Littler’s new nemesis stands in his way on Premier League Darts finals night
The 17-year-old darts prodigy will be the main attraction when a sold-out crowd fills the London venue for the finals, but he faces a semi-final opponent with a winning habit against him
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