Clayton Extends Premier League Lead with Rotterdam Victory

Jonny Clayton has strengthened his lead in the Premier League Darts table, securing a 6-4 win over Luke Littler in the Night 11 final in Rotterdam. This marks Clayton's fourth nightly victory in the 2026 campaign, following his successes in Glasgow, Nottingham, and Brighton. Clayton now holds a five-point advantage at the top of the table with 29 points, while Littler is in second place with 24 points. Gerwyn Price and Michael van Gerwen follow in third and fourth places, respectively. Clayton's win has practically guaranteed his spot at Finals Night at The O2 in May. Littler, despite reaching his fourth nightly final, was unable to claim the victory. However, he did manage to quiet the Rotterdam crowd after they booed him during his walk-on. The night saw the first appearance of two Dutch players in the Premier League since 2019, but both Gian van Veen and van Gerwen lost in the quarter-finals. Clayton expressed his determination after being labeled as a potential candidate to finish at the bottom of the Premier League, stating that the comment 'annoyed him a bit.' He also praised Littler, calling him 'absolutely amazing' and acknowledging that he has 'years ahead of him.' The match between Clayton and Littler was closely contested, with Clayton initially trailing 2-0 before winning three legs in a row. Littler won the next leg, but Clayton held his nerve and sealed the game with a pin on D20. Earlier in the night, Clayton defeated Josh Rock in the semi-finals with a 6-5 win, showcasing his ability to win 'ugly.' He also dominated van Gerwen with a 6-2 victory, ending the Dutchman's hopes of a home win. Littler started the night by silencing the crowd with a 6-3 win over Price, despite being booed during his walk-on. He then held off a fightback from Luke Humphries to secure a 6-5 victory and reach the final. The night also saw Humphries pick up his first quarter-final win in four weeks, defeating Van Veen 6-3, while Rock remains at the bottom of the table despite continuing his improved form with a 6-1 win over Stephen Bunting.