Littler's Early Exit in Brighton: Was Van Veen Spat a Contributing Factor?

World champion Luke Littler suffered a disappointing loss to Stephen Bunting in the Premier League quarter-finals, prompting speculation that his recent spat with Gian van Veen may have played a role in his subpar performance. Littler, who was booed by the crowd in Brighton, recorded his lowest televised PDC average and failed to hit a single maximum. Former Premier League star Wayne Mardle believes Littler's exit was a 'knock-on' effect from the Van Veen incident, saying the 19-year-old looked 'flat' and uninterested during the match. Bunting, who turned 41 on Thursday, capitalized on Littler's struggles to secure a win, despite missing multiple opportunities on his opponent's throw. The victory marked a significant upset, with Littler having been the pre-match favorite. The loss drops Littler in the standings, with Jonny Clayton moving three points ahead of him after a stunning comeback victory over Michael Van Gerwen. Clayton's win was marked by a remarkable comeback, as he rallied from 5-2 down to level the contest and eventually seal the win with a composed 12-darter. The Premier League continues next week in Rotterdam, with key matches including Luke Humphries vs. Gian van Veen and Luke Littler vs. Gerwyn Price.