Luke Littler says he’s back to his best after winning the final 6-1 against Jonny Clayton in Gameweek 12 of the Premier League in Liverpool.
A “vintage Littler” performance
Littler came out firing from the start, taking the opening leg without the slightest hesitation on the outer ring.
“The Nuke” carried that efficiency into the second leg, producing a huge 141 checkout to open up a two-leg lead.
Clayton couldn’t capitalise on the bull to fight back in the first three legs and allowed Littler back on the oche where he hit double 5 to lead 3-0.
Minutes later, two darts missed on the double from Clayton allowed Luke to quadruple his lead.
As the match went on, “the ferret’s” luck diminished and Littler’s darts became more clinical, as they did throughout the whole night.
Clayton managed to salvage some honour by reducing the score as he bounced back in the sixth leg.
But ultimately, Littler’s a-game proved too much for Clayton, in a final which saw him back to his best as he checked out 58 to win 6-1.
“The Nuke” back at his best
In an exclusive interview with Littler after his game, he said: “The doubling was very good tonight, it feels great to get a win again.
“I’m gonna be chasing him (Clayton) now.
“I don’t want to, as I’d rather be at the top cruising, but I have to.”
Concerning the boos from the crowd, Littler added with humour: “If it gets worse than that, we’ll have to start planning the summer.
“To be honest, the boos at Rotterdam were far worse, that’s the worst I’ve experienced”.
When I asked Luke about the importance of his family outside of darts he said: “Yeah it’s very good, it’s what you need as a darts player.
“When I’m at home, I turn more to the family and Faith, she’s been massively important to me.”
While discussing the evolution of darts in Merseyside and where he’d like to see the sport in the next few years, Littler added: “I think it’s just become absolutely crazy.
“I’ve been a massive part of it, and I think darts is growing each day as it goes.
“I’ve seen my sales up with Target by 1000% in America, which goes to show how big it’s getting.
“Ally Pally’s getting a lot bigger, and venues do change.
“I’m sure they’ll be bigger venues for the other majors.
A step-up in form
Littler’s recent upturn in form is no accident.
The Nuke’s drop in form started in Gameweek 9, in his beloved Manchester, where he fell-short to Gian Van Veen in the quarterfinals.
It was a controversy-filled match that saw tensions escalate between both players, with Luke Littler missing multiple match darts on the doubles—something fans aren’t used to seeing nowadays.
Following these events, the crowd gradually began to turn on Luke Littler, with boos growing louder during his walk-ons and matches in the weeks that followed.
Luke Littler walked out to a frosty crowd during Night 10 in Brighton before exiting in the quarterfinals, posting his lowest three-dart average to date of 83.94—suggesting that a week of sustained criticism from fans across the country had impacted his performance.
Tensions peaked in Rotterdam during Night 11, as Luke Littler walked out to one of the most hostile crowds he had faced to date.
He overcame the Dutch crowd to reach the final but ultimately fell short against then league leader Jonny Clayton.
Things appeared to settle the following week, with less reaction on social media from the world number one, as he made adjustments online to his profile.
Since then, Luke Littler has secured his fourth nightly win in Liverpool—his first Premier League nightly win in nearly a month—highlighting just how dangerous the world number one can be when in the right frame of mind.
The Van Veen incident: “We’ve both moved on”
When discussing the tension that rose on stage between him and Gian Van Veen in Manchester, Luke said: “It’s been a tough couple of weeks, but I’ve just had to get on with it.
“We’ve not spoken with Gian, maybe he’s waiting for me to go and talk to him, but like in the changing room, I’m not the type of person to chat away.
“We can settle it on the darts board.
“In the training room, it’s been like usual: He’s forgotten about it, and I’ve forgotten about it.
“I don’t regret anything, I’ve got my opinion and he’s got his, and I feel we’ve both moved on.”
Littler now moves within three points of leader Clayton with 6 gameweeks remaining before the start of the play-offs at the O2 in London.
Click here to see my full interview: https://www.instagram.com/p/DXfpRJUDA-B/
(Featured image by Alex Parker)
