Littler beats Humphries for record-equalling win

Image source, PA MediaImage caption, Luke Littler has reached the final in each of the past four Premier League nights

Luke Littler beat Luke Humphries to claim a third successive night win and a record-equalling sixth victory of the season in the Premier League.

The 19-year-old set the record last year and now has two more nights in the league phase to break it.

The win in Leeds backed up victories in Liverpool and Aberdeen in the past two weeks and has seen him open up a five-point advantage at the top of the standings.

The 2024 champion, who is guaranteed a place in the play-offs at London's O2 Arena on 28 May, beat Michael van Gerwen 6-5 in the quarter-finals, before edging past Jonny Clayton in another last-leg decider in the semis.

He won by the same scoreline in the final - for the second successive week against defending champion Humphries.

The final was a sublime game with both players averaging in excess of 100 and more than 45% on the checkouts.

Littler missed darts to break in the fifth leg, and Humphries had the opportunity to break and seal victory in leg 10.

But Littler raised his level in the decider to take the win and deny Humphries a third straight success in Leeds.

"I've just got to keep going - I can go and beat my own record," Littler told Sky Sports.

"Even the win against Jonny [Clayton, in the semi-finals], I knew I was a few points clear. I'm in the clear now and I've just got to keep top spot."

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Published17 hours agoRace for play-offs heats up Despite a second successive final defeat by Littler, this was a positive night for Humphries.

He started the night in sixth spot and before his run to last week's final he was five points off fourth.

The world number two now occupies that final qualifying berth after his runner-up finish and quarter-final defeats for Gerwyn Price and Van Gerwen.

Third-placed Price is three points clear of Van Gerwen in fifth, but intriguingly the pair meet in Birmingham next Thursday.

One of them will again fail to add to their tally and that means the picture is starting to look rosy for Humphries.

This was another improved evening for the 2024 world champion and, after deliberately slowing his throw down in Aberdeen last week, the Leeds United supporter seemed closer to his usual rhythm in front of an expectant crowd.

Humphries faces Stephen Bunting in his opening match next week, having edged out the same opponent 6-5 in the semi-finals in Leeds.

Victory in that match could put Humphries in a very strong position going into the final week, when the fixtures are decided based on the league standings after 15 weeks - with the aim of a direct shootout between fourth and fifth for a play-off spot.

Five points separate Price and sixth-placed Gian van Veen so certain results next week could see a congested field and two play-off spots up for grabs in Sheffield on 21 May.

Before his quarter-final defeat by Clayton, Price told Sky Sports he was struggling with his health.

The post also said "hopefully I get the results I want in three weeks' time" alongside a hospital emoji.

"Frustrating times at the moment," added Price.

"No good playing once a week.

"This year has been amazing in the Premier League and it's been a great start to the season, the crowd has got me through a lot of games but sometimes things happen you can't control."

Gerwyn Price 2-6 Jonny Clayton

Luke Littler 6-5 Michael van Gerwen

Gian van Veen 5-6 Stephen Bunting

Thursday, 14 May - Utilita Arena, Birmingham

Gerwyn Price v Michael van Gerwen

Luke Humphries v Stephen Bunting

Premier League Darts is played across 16 initial weeks in the league stage with quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final each night.

Each of the eight players is guaranteed to face the other seven in the quarter-finals in weeks one to seven and 9-15, with week eight and week 16 fixtures compiled according to the table. It means we will get fourth v fifth in Sheffield on the final league-stage night, with the play-off spots potentially on the line.

Players earn two points per quarter-final win, an additional point if they win their semi-final and five for winning the night.

The top four players after the group stage progress to the play-off night at London's O2 Arena on 28 May, with first facing fourth and second against third in a best-of-19-leg match. The final, which is the best of 21 legs, follows.

If players are level on points after the 16 weeks, then places are decided by nights won and then matches won.

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