Premier League Darts LIVE RESULT: Reaction as Luke Littler hits stunning NINE-DARTER during final win over Van Gerwen
LUKE LITTLER hit an incredible NINE-DARTER as he won yet another Premier League night in Cardiff!
Teen sensation Littler extended his lead at the top of the standings to six points after he beat Michael van Gerwen 6-4 in the blockbuster final - The Nuke even predicted he would hit a nine-darter earlier in the day, which sent the raucous Welsh crowd into raptures.
Welshman Gerwyn Price failed to deliver on home turf after Rob Cross edged an 11-leg thriller in their quarter-final - winning the deciding leg with a Big Fish.
There is more darts action this weekend with the European Darts Trophy now underway.
- Night Seven winner: Luke Littler
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Luke Humphries vs Michael van Gerwen
A chorus of "OOOOOhhhhh, Michael van Gerwen" rings around the Utilita Arena as the Green Machine makes his way to the oche.
Up next
Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen go head-to-head next in Cardiff.
The winner will face Chris Dobey in the first semi-final of the night.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of his clash with Humphries, MVG said: "I'd like to have done more, I want to win nights, but I am doing enough to get my points so far.
"You need to be on top of your game constantly, you can't afford any mistakes. You always need to aim for more. It's never enough."
Chris Dobey 6-2 Stephen Bunting
A fourth maxi for Bunting and Dobey adds two to his tally!
It was easily the best leg in terms of quality, but it was the same story for Bunting, who continues to miss his doubles.
Up steps Dobey, who took out double 16 with one attempt.
Newcastle beat Liverpool once again and Bunting remains at the foot of the table with 0 points.
Credit: PA
Chris Dobey 5-2 Stephen Bunting
A THIRD 180 for Bunting!
The Bullet is scoring high once again, but struggles remain on the outer ring.
It was more match darts missed from both men and Bunting needed double 5 but he BUST.
Dobey takes advantage and goes within one.
Chris Dobey 4-2 Stephen Bunting
Dobey gets his first 180 of the night! At a crucial time for the Geordie!
Both men left 86 and Dobey took the treble 18 but couldn't find the double 16.
Up stepped Bunting, who also found the treble 18, but missed both match darts at double 16.
Dobey needed just one more attempt, which he took and now has a two-leg lead once again.
Chris Dobey 3-2 Stephen Bunting
Bunting missed the bull to take the lead, and Dobey failed to take advantage with double tops.
Both men very nervy on the doubles, with many opportunities missed.
Dobey holds his throw with double 10 and retakes the lead.
All about the doubles here.
Chris Dobey 2-2 Stephen Bunting
Another 180 for Bunting!
The Bullet is scoring high here - he just need to polish up on his finishing.
Both men miss many chances to close out the leg, but Bunting finally finds the double with his fourth match dart.
Chris Dobey 2-1 Stephen Bunting
Bunting back in the tie, and that's exactly what he needed.
The Bullet took out 52 to get on the board and break Dobey's throw.
Bunting is now throwing to level the match.
Chris Dobey 2-0 Stephen Bunting
Great start to the second leg, with Bunting landing the first 180 of the match.
The Bullet missed double 7 to level the tie and Dobey took advantage to break Bunting's throw.
The checkouts the problem again for the Bullet.
Chris Dobey 1-0 Stephen Bunting
Night Seven is underway in Cardiff!
Dobey found the treble 20 with his first dart and he finished the leg well.
Dobey failed to checkout 70 on his first opportunity, but he needed just one dart for the double 16 to take the opening leg.
Great start to this one, with both men knowing they need the points.
Dobey vs Bunting
The wait is over, both men are at the oche ready to go to battle.
The crowd are going mental in Cardiff, especially after THAT walk-on from Bunting.
Bunting makes his way to the oche!
The Welsh crowd are belting out Titanium, Bunting's iconic walk-on song, as the raucous fans prepare for tonight's opener.
Darts is back!
Credit: Getty Dobey on Newcastle ending their 70-year wait for a domestic trophy
Chris Dobey was at Wembley on Saturday to see his beloved Newcastle end their 70-year wait for a major domestic honour.
Speaking to Sky Sports he said, "What a weekend it has been. I wish I could do it all over again, but it is nice to be here and I am looking forward to tonight.
"It was a great feeling being with my mates who have travelled home and away watching Newcastle for many years.
"To see us lift it against the best team in the league [Liverpool], that is great. I am playing a Scouser so I can't be losing to him!"
Price's impressive stats this season
Some raised their eyebrows when Gerwyn Price was included in this season's Premier League Darts.
But Gezzy has certainly silenced his doubters after making a stunning start to the season.
Here is a look at the Iceman's numbers:
- Tournament average - 96.66 (6)
- Checkout % - 42.22 (4)
- 180s - 32 (4)
- Ton plus finishes - 12 (3)
- Highest checkout - 170
The Price Is Right!
Gerwyn Price's name rings around the Utilita Arena in Cardiff as the crowd prepares to give the Iceman a hero's welcome later tonight.
Gezzy is eyeing back-to-back nightly wins as he looks to go one better than last year on home turf.
Credit: Getty
Here we go!
The Sky Sports broadcast of Night 7 has begun, which means we are minutes away from tonight's opener.
Chris Dobey and Stephen Bunting kick off the show in Cardiff, with both men desperate for points to climb the table.
Dobey will be hoping he can deliver a similar quality of performance to that of his boyhood club, Newcastle, after the Toon beat Bunting's Liverpool to win the Carabao Cup last weekend.
Tonight's draw
The Cardiff crowd could be treated to a re-run of last week's final if Luke Littler and home favourite Gerwyn Price are both victorious in their respective quarter-finals.
The pair would meet in the semi-finals, giving the Welsh crowd a blockbuster match this evening.
Quarter-Finals
Chris Dobey v Stephen Bunting
Luke Humphries v Michael van Gerwen
Luke Littler v Nathan Aspinall
Gerwyn Price v Rob CrossSemi-Finals
Dobey/Bunting v Humphries/Van Gerwen
Littler/Aspinall v Price/CrossFinal
Dobey/Bunting/Humphries/Van Gerwen v Littler/Aspinall/Price/CrossAspinall on his relationship with Littler
Nathan Aspinall and Luke Littler will put friendship aside when they take to the oche in one of tonight’s quarter-finals.
The Asp recently spoke about his relationship with the world champion, he said: "I see myself, not so much of a role model, but a bit of an older brother to him in the darts world.
"We don't speak much outside of darts, but when it comes to darts, I do try to help him. He's a nice kid."
Credit: PA Price keeping ice cool
Gerwyn Price is ready for a wild Cardiff crowd tonight ahead of his homecoming.
Last year, the Welshman overcame Rob Cross to reach the final but was eventually beaten to the crown by Michael Smith.
This time around, Price will be hoping to go one better.
Speaking ahead of his homecoming, the Iceman said: “I’m not looking any further than the game against Rob.
"I think Rob is probably playing some of the best stuff he’s ever played, so I know I have to be on my game."
“To win the night in Cardiff and give a little bit back to the crowd that have always supported me would be amazing, but I’m fully focused on my opening game.
“I want to keep this run going. The best part of my game at the moment is that I’m enjoying it, my mentality is right and I’m feeling more confident than I have for a while.
Credit: Alamy A look at the competition averages
Luke Littler is top of the Premier League Darts standings and also leads the way for the highest average after six nights.
Stephen Bunting is yet to win a match in the competition, but he is 4th in the list of highest averages this season, which points to his finishing as the key issue.
1st Luke Littler - 103.87
2nd Rob Cross - 99.78
3rd Luke Humphries - 99.63
4th Stephen Bunting - 98.79
5th Michael van Gerwen - 97.97
6th Chris Dobey - 96.81
7th Gerwyn Price - 96.73
8th Nathan Aspinall 94.56
Credit: PA Van Gerwen ‘struggling’ with health issue he ‘just can’t shake’
Darts legend Michael van Gerwen has been dealing with a health problem since January and has been struggling to "shake it off".
That is according to close friend and fellow darts star Vincent van der Voort, who claims Van Gerwen, 35, has been seeing doctors regarding a "virus or infection" he picked up.
Van der Voort, 49, said his fellow Dutchman picked up that illness while on holiday in Thailand.
Van Gerwen has been struggling with inconsistent performances and went back home to the Netherlands earlier than expected after his early exit in the opening round of the Players Championship.
Van der Voort told the Darts Draait Door podcast: "He’s been struggling with a virus or infection for quite some time now.
"He picked it up during his holiday in Thailand back in early January, and he just hasn’t been able to shake it off. On top of that, he’s not in his best form."
1 hour warning
We're just one hour away until Night Seven of Premier League Darts gets underway in Cardiff!
The two new recruits to the 2025 season, Chris Dobey and Stephen Bunting, kick off tonight's show in the Welsh capital.
Luke Humphries' blockbuster clash with Michael van Gerwen will follow before Luke Littler vs Nathan Aspinall.
The final quarter-final sees home favourite Gerwyn Price begin his quest for glory on home turf against Rob Cross.
Credit: PA Humphries looking ahead to MVG clash
Speaking ahead of his blockbuster tie with Michael van Gerwen this evening, Luke Humphries said: "If he beats me, he's within three points of me and he's not made it to the final yet. So it just shows the consistency that he's shown.
"He's won five out of the six first round games and he probably should have won that one against Rob Cross in Exeter.
"Michael hasn't been playing his best but you've got to look at the record he's had in those first games. He's winning them every time.
"And obviously for me, I'm probably the one that stops him.
"Like I said before the tournament started, those first-round games are incredibly important.
"Two points is massive because really there's only one person that can outdo you by quite a few points and that's the winner.
"If people are getting three points in something like that, it's not really too bad."
Credit: Getty How the table looks ahead of Night 7
Will tonight be the night Stephen Bunting can finally get off the mark?
The Bullet faces fellow struggler Chris Dobey in the opening match of the night in Cardiff.
Michael van Gerwen is yet to claim a nightly win, and he will have to overcome World No1 Luke Humphries if he is to end his torrid run tonight.
1) Luke Littler...16
2) Luke Humphries...15
3) Gerwyn Price...12
4) Michael van Gerwen...10
5) Nathan Aspinall...8
6) Rob Cross...8
7) Chris Dobey...3
8) Stephen Bunting...0
Credit: PA Latest odds
have teenage sensation Luke Littler as the favourite to take home the trophy this evening.
Here are the latest odds for Night 7:
- Luke Littler 11/8
- Luke Humphries 11/4
- Gerwyn Price 7/1
- Michael van Gerwen 15/2
- Rob Cross 11/1
- Chris Dobey 14/1
- Stephen Bunting 16/1
- Nathan Aspinall 25/1