Premier League Darts LIVE RESULTS: Luke Humphries BEATS Luke Littler in thriller to win title for first time – updates
LUKE HUMPHRIES has won the Premier League Darts for the first time in his career after a thrilling final win over Luke Littler.
Teenage sensation Littler was looking to defend his title and claim the mammoth £275,000 jackpot for winning the iconic competition, but lost 11-8 after an epic final.
Littler overcame Gerwyn Price 10-7 to advance to the final, while world No 1 Humphries downed Nathan Aspinall, also by 10-7, in their semi-final.
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Dominating
Wayne Mardle doesn't see anyone touching the Lukes and reckons they'll share plenty of title between themselves for years to come.
He told Sky Sports: "The Lukes are going to be the mainstay of the darting world.
"People are going to have to play really well to get the better of these two.
"If they have that hunger for four, five, 10 years then someone is going to have to step up. Maybe we don't know the next champion."
League of her own
Emma Paton has stolen the show at the O2 with her Premier League outfit.
The Sky Sports host fronted the network's coverage of the eagerly-awaited Finals.
Paton's "delightful" wardrobe choice that had darts fans talking before the opening match.
The 30-year-old rocked a fitted black dress and matching tights, along with black heels.
One lovestruck fan wrote on X: "Emma Paton looking absolutely delightful once again."
Luk out!
Luke Littler avoided being hit on the O2 Arena stage by an unidentified flying object before enjoying a sensational comeback over Gerwyn Price.
The Nuke booked his spot in the final with a 10-7 victory against the Welshman in semi-final one of the Premier League Darts Playoffs.
As he walked on to the oche, Littler applauded the 14,000 fans in the iconic sports arena in North Greenwich, south-west London.
A sponsored foam finger was thrown at the defending world champion, hitting him on the knee, as he stood by his table.
And as the 18-year-old bent over to pick it up, another item was launched at him by someone in the crowd.
Adding to his tally
It's easy to forget all this winning for Luke Humphries has been in the last couple of years or so.
But he's now added Premier League success to his list of Premier event titles.
It's quite the list:
- World Championship
- World Matchplay
- World Grand Prix
- Grand Slam
- Masters
- Players Championship finals
- Premier League
Final report
Luke Humphries thanked Phil Taylor for golden advice as he sealed the Triple Crown of Darts by stunning Luke Littler to lift the BetMGM Premier League in London.
Yet both the Lukes of Hazards were unhappy with draughty conditions on the O2 Arena stage, claiming a wind was impacting their throws.
Cool Hand Luke, 30, double-fisted the oche in celebration after he nailed double 10 to win 11-8 and then hugged referee George Noble who retires at the end of the year.
The Berkshire-born thrower is the ninth person to win the Premier League in its 20-year existence.
Luke Humphries is RETIRING!
He said that would be a headline, so I'm giving him it!
He concluded his TV media duties by saying: "I am just going to retire now, I'm done! That will be in the papers tomorrow!
"But no, I want to search for more. Luke makes me want to be a better player. He's so good and a great lad, but I want to get better.
"There's a few changes I want to do to my own set-up to get better, and I need to. Right now I'm doing okay and I've won eight major titles, and the most important ones. It's important to finish the season well.
"It's one Premier League each now. He'll probably get me back a few times, but one time or 10 times is good enough for me."
Good night's work
Nathan Aspinall and Gerwyn Price pushed Luke&Luke in the semi finals but just came up short.
The pair bagged £85,000 for reaching this stage, with Price pocketing an extra £30,000 in nightly win bonuses and Aspinall £20,000.
Luke Littler bagged £185,000 which included £60k in win bonuses, and Humphries added £30,000 in nightly bonuses to his £275,000 jackpot!
- Winner: £275,000
- Runner-up: £125,000
- Semi-finalists: £85,000
Tough to beat
On that World Cup appearance as Team England, Humphries told Sky Sports: "We won't play like that, that's for sure!
"I've won it before, but Luke hasn't so if we connect we will have a great chance of winning it.
"The pressure is going to be on us but hopefully we can produce our best.
Littler - alongside Humphries onstage - added: "I cannot wait. He won it last year so hopefully he can lead me to victory."
Updated Luke vs Luke record
It's now 13-10 to Luke Littler in the record books in his tussles with Luke Humphries.
The pair are trading blows on the biggest stage and the world number one badly needed that to keep Littler at arms length at the top of darts' standings.
The top two in the world continue to put on a show - and will do so TOGETHER at the World Cup soon!
'Jaded'
Luke Humphries also made reference to fatigue when closing out his media duties to Sky Sports.
He spoke of feeling 'jaded' but said he couldn't complain given the position he's in after winning the TOUGHEST competition out there.
He continued: "The Premier League is the hardest one to win. The Worlds is prestigious but this is very close to winning the Worlds.
"You can't have four or five bad weeks, you have to be good for 16 weeks on the trot. You have to be at your best.
"The hardship I have been through over the last couple of months is worth it. There are people worse off than you but you can feel jaded."
Break required
As the trophy was handed out and Humphries went through his media duties onstage, Luke Littler took the opportunity to grab a seat on the FLOOR!
This was before admitting he'll be taking a break and it's maybe the first glimpse of fatigue after a grueling first five months of the season.
Having said that, when you go deep in every competition you play, I'd imagine it does take it out you!
Credit: Shutterstock Incredible season
A record-breaking league campaign from Luke Littler before just falling short in the final.
But it's records he doesn't think will be broken, though is looking forward to giving it a go himself!
He added: "I have set many records and I don't think they will be broken. I am going to try and break my own records next season.
"I will have a little break now."
Littler reacts
He's not accustomed to too many runner-up interviews.
But Luke Littler told Sky Sports he's GLAD the tough Premier League campaign is now over.
He said: "I had to take myself away, no one likes losing but I am fine.
"I am glad to say it's over as it has been a tough 17 weeks.
"I will be back next year."
Humphries' winnings
It's been a tough, tough slog. And the final wasn't anything special given what we've come to expect from them.
But this payday of £275,000 - plus an extra £30,000 in winnings - will surely make it all worthwhile for Luke Humphries.
Granted, he's already said it was the trophy that he desperately wanted.
The money side of it isn't too bad either though!
Power play
Humphries also gave a big shout-out to Phil Taylor for all his support in recent weeks.
He added: "Phil Taylor has given me a lot of support over the last couple of weeks so, Phil, if you are watching, thank you.
"He gave me a lot of advice and that extra support."
Humphries reacts
The new Premier League champ badly wanted this title and says he'll be happy if it's the LAST one he ever wins!
He told Sky Sports: "This one means the world to me, that was the one I was missing. It was the one I wanted, I have done it now.
"If I don't win another title, I am happy as I have done the three hardest ones to do."
Crowning moment
The moment Luke Humphries dreamt of 17 weeks ago when this competition started.
A huge night for him to get one over Luke Littler and get REVENGE for 12 months ago.
Runner-up saluted
Luke Littler is first up to collect his trophy and £125,000 - plus £60,000 in win bonuses.
A huge cheer for the Premier League record-breaker but he's understandable absolutely gutted
His triple crown - COMPLETE
The world number one is now a
- World Champion
- World Matchplay Champion
- Premier League champion
Luke Humphries wins the Premier League
Luke Littler 8-11 Luke Humphries
A match dart at double-20 doesn't go for Humphries as his first match dart misses.
Littler needs D7 for an 88 checkout, which misses again for him.
Three match darts but he doesn't need them all as he takes it out to clinch the competition and become a Premier League champ.
LUKE HUMPHRIES BEATS LUKE LITTLER TO BECOME PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPION!
*Luke Littler 8-10 Luke Humphries
Luke Humphries has three match darts!
Luke Littler 8-10 Luke Humphries*
Humphries holds, even after starting with just 57 in his first visit!
That's because his next six darts puts him out of sight of Littler who can't score to keep pace.
Humphries can afford to miss D16, D8 and D4 before coming back for D2 again with Littler not able to take out 170.
He needs one of the next three legs for the title!
*Luke Littler 8-9 Luke Humphries
Littler with another easy hold of throw.
He leaves 40 and Humphries' set-up doesn't leave a finish, so he has six darts at tops and again hits single 20, following in with D10.
Littler needs a break soon though...
Luke Littler 7-9 Luke Humphries*
Humphries error - but Littler CAN'T punish him!
Missed darts at D16, D8 and D4 for Humphries aren't capitalised on by Littler who doesn't get a dart at a double from 108.
Frustrating for him but Humphries comes back and makes no mistake with first dart at D4 this time.
