Luke Littler knocked out of Premier League by Jonny Clayton
Luke Littler endured another difficult evening at the Premier League as Jonny Clayton knocked him out 6-3 in the quarter-finals in Belfast tonight, reports BritPanorama.
Throughout the match, the world champion faced a hostile reception from the Northern Irish crowd, who responded with boos and jeers, amplifying the pressure on Littler. Despite this, he managed to rally at one point, finally landing a check after a series of missed attempts at double 10.
In a moment of defiance, Littler directed a ‘calm down’ gesture at the particularly vocal sections of the audience after achieving a 112 checkout. This was a cheeky response from the young star, who had earlier invited the crowd to make more noise during one of his previous throws.
Despite showing some resilience during the contest, Littler’s campaign has been marked by difficulties. His only pathway to the semi-finals last week was facilitated by a bye. This match against Clayton marked the third instance in four nights where he has performed on stage just once.
Clayton, the current league leader, put forth a commanding performance, highlighted by a remarkable 156 checkout. Their match ended promptly, and following a brief exchange of words, Littler exited the stage.
Away from the Premier League, the young talent recently claimed the Poland Darts Open title, securing £35,000 amidst stiff competition, including a nine-darter from his opponent Gian van Veen. Notably, Luke Humphries, who faced Littler in last year’s final, also exited in the quarter-finals.
In another turn of events, Stephen Bunting stunned Luke Humphries with a 6-4 victory, advancing to face Clayton in the semi-finals. The unpredictability of the 2026 Premier League has been striking, with both last year’s finalists eliminated before the semi-final stage, underscoring the volatility of the tournament.
Michael van Gerwen, who has already reached two finals this season, is set to return to action tonight against Gerwyn Price after missing last week’s Glasgow event due to illness, adding another layer of excitement to an already thrilling competition.
As Littler steps away from the spotlight of the Premier League stage, it’s a reminder of the trials every competitor faces; the road is rarely smooth and the pressure is unrelenting, making every victory all the more poignant.
