Littler Faces Backlash in Brighton, Exits Premier League Quarter-Finals

World champion Luke Littler suffered a disappointing defeat to Stephen Bunting in the Premier League quarter-finals, with his lowest televised PDC average of 83.94. This poor performance came a week after his highly publicized spat with Gian van Veen in Manchester. Former Premier League star Wayne Mardle believes Littler's exit was a direct result of the incident, stating it was a 'knock-on' effect. Littler was booed by the crowd in Brighton and struggled to recover from a poor start, eventually losing to Bunting. The 19-year-old's subpar display has raised concerns about his ability to bounce back from adversity. In contrast, Jonny Clayton staged a remarkable comeback to beat Michael Van Gerwen, moving three points ahead of Littler in the table. The Premier League continues, with crucial matches upcoming, including Luke Humphries facing Gian van Veen and Luke Littler taking on Gerwyn Price.