Premier League Darts: Luke Littler moves clear at top of table with 6-2 Rob Cross demolition in Liverpool | Darts News
Luke Littler moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a 6-2 demolition of Rob Cross to win Night 13 in Liverpool.
Littler looked unstoppable in the final as he raced into a 5-0 lead, breaks of throw plus a 111 checkout giving him clear control.
Cross fought back to bring the match to 5-2 but Littler stood strong with a 105 average, taking his favourite D10 for a third nightly win and cementing himself as the man to beat in the regular rounds.
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Luke Littler was enjoying his game against Nathan Aspinall during the semi-final on Night 13 of the Premier League in Liverpool
Littler was happy to pick up a crucial victory and admitted he has his sights set on topping the Premier League table after Night 16.
“I’m just happy with the way I played – and obviously this lovely bunch of people,” he said.
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Luke Littler says he was pleased to give himself some breathing room in the race for the Premier League play-offs after he won Night 13 in Liverpool
“But I just wanted to come here, pick up some more points, and hopefully I’m through.
“It’s been looking tight for the past two-three weeks but I’m glad I’ve won tonight and I’m out the way a bit.
“I’m happy to just kind of push myself away from the other people. But I know it’s still going to be tight for the other bunch.
“Obviously, there are only three more weeks left and maybe I can top the table.”
Earlier on, Littler pulled off an almighty and show-stopping comeback to defeat Nathan Aspinall in a last leg decider to reach the final.
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Luke Littler came from behind to beat Nathan Aspinall in the semi-final on Night 13 of the Premier League in Liverpool
Aspinall, who had taken a 5-2 lead, looked in control but the 17-year-old rallied to bring the game to 5-5, nailing tops for a huge victory and letting out a roar, toying with the crowd throughout the whole tie.
It was a sensational encounter, showing some incredible moments from both players.
Littler started his night by putting a huge dent in Gerwyn Price’s hopes of progressing to Finals Night with a 6-3 victory in the opening quarter-final of the night.
The Man United fan, who taunted the Liverpool crowd after they jeered, played with a 104 average in spells and found the only break of throw on his way to a big win.
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Luke Littler was quick to remind Liverpool fans the score in the Merseyside derby as he made his way to the stage on Night 13 of the Premier League
Cross claimed his spot in the Liverpool final with a 6-2 drubbing of Michael van Gerwen, his first final since Night Five at Exeter.
Van Gerwen was off kilter, missing 16 darts at the doubles, but Cross took advantage, nailing a 121 finish on the way to the win.
Cross also inflicted a costly defeat on Michael Smith as he put in his best performance in several weeks for a 6-4 victory over Bullyboy.
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Michael Smith took out 138 in style during his quarter-final match against Rob Cross on Night 13 of the Premier League in Liverpool
Voltage ended a six-week losing streak with a solid performance, three breaks of throw helping him pick up some crucial points against Smith, who is battling most closely with MVG and Aspinall for a Finals Night spot, the loss dealing a big blow.
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The Liverpool crowd jeered Luke Littler’s opening darts, cheering every missed treble on Night 13 of the Premier League
Wright’s hopes ended as Humphries suffers setback
Elsewhere, Van Gerwen ended Peter Wright’s slim hopes of making it to Finals Night with a comeback 6-3 victory.
Snakebite got off to a good start as he took a 3-1 lead but the Green Machine pushed through to fightback, taking four legs on the bounce to clinch the win and pick up some very useful points.
Meanwhile, Aspinall put in a ruthless display in his 6-2 drubbing on world no 1 Luke Humphries in the quarter-finals.
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Nathan Aspinall hit this checkout during his quarter-final match against Luke Humphries on Night 13 of the Premier League in Liverpool as Wayne Mardle got his counting wrong
After getting going with a break of throw then finding another to go 4-2 up, the Asp did not relent, hitting 75% of his doubles plus 121 and 106 checkouts to cruise to the win.
Where does the Premier League head next?
The Premier League continues with Night 14 in Aberdeen on Thursday May 2 at the P&J Live, as Peter Wright takes on Michael Smith before Luke Littler faces Nathan Aspinall.
Michael van Gerwen then takes on Rob Cross before Gerwyn Price clashes with Luke Humphries.
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Premier League Darts continues on Sky Sports on Thursday May 2 at the P&J Live, Aberdeen, the next stop on the 17-week extravaganza all the way through to the Play-Offs at The O2 arena in London on Thursday May 23. Stream the darts and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.
