Jonny Clayton praised Luke Littler’s composure in the face of a hostile Rotterdam audience, noting how the young Welshman powered through to the final and secured his second straight nightly victory in the Premier League. Clayton’s own performance this week marked his fourth win in just eleven weeks of the campaign, widening his lead at the summit of the league table to a comfortable five points after defeating world champion Littler for a third time this season. The Welsh number one started the night by overcoming local favourite Michael van Gerwen, then out‑scoring Josh Rock, before finally besting Littler at the Rotterdam Ahoy on Thursday.
That string of triumphs lifted his points total to 29 after only eleven weeks of competition, underscoring his consistency and hunger for the title. The match began with Littler taking an early 2‑0 lead, opening with an impressive 11‑dart finish and following it up with a break of throw. Clayton, the 2021 Premier League champion, responded by winning three consecutive legs, taking the lead for the first time in the encounter. He later sealed a crucial 78‑out finish while Littler stood on a double, just one leg away from clinching the match.
Littler managed a 15‑dart hold that threatened a comeback, but Clayton capitalised on his opponent’s errant finishing, hitting the necessary tops to lock in his fourth nightly win and virtually guarantee his place at the O2 arena for the Play‑Offs. When asked about the result, Clayton joked, “I’m not going to say anything because Littler will come back and beat me up,” before adding that Littler possesses everything every other player envies – the right attitude, a smooth throw, and the mental fortitude required at the highest level. “He’s got everything that every other player wishes for. He’s got that attitude, he’s got the throw, he’s got the mentality.
He’s got everything. What a player and to beat him, I’ve done my job,” Clayton said. The win was particularly special for Clayton, who marked the occasion as his 20th anniversary in the sport. “I had to do something special because it’s my 20th anniversary today and I did forget!” he laughed, noting that he now enjoys a 16‑point cushion over the fifth‑placed player in the Play‑Off race.
He also recalled the sting of criticism after a recent match against Michael van Gerwen, when someone suggested he might finish at the bottom of the league. “It hurt a little bit when someone said I was favourite to finish bottom. That really hurt.
It annoyed me a bit, to be honest. It’s going good for me now and I’ve got a massive smile on my face,” he admitted.
Littler, meanwhile, strengthened his own Play‑Off aspirations by reaching his fourth final in seven weeks, beating Gerwyn Price and Josh Rock to climb to 24 points in the standings. After his quarter‑final victory over Price, Littler told Sky Sports, “It was exactly what I expected – the boos and whistles. But I knew as soon as I got on stage I could do my job.
I was practising very well before the game.” Three‑time world champion Glen Durrant weighed in on the atmosphere, describing it as “frosty” and “hostile,” but emphasizing that such conditions are part of the Premier League’s character. “He didn’t react each time he was winning legs; he wasn’t allowing the crowd to get involved. Price was nowhere near his best; he averaged under 90 which was a bit of a disappointment, but Littler dealt with the situation incredibly well. There was an unbelievable atmosphere in here,” Durrant observed.
The league now moves to the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool for another decisive night, as the battle for the Play‑Off spots intensifies. Home favourite Stephen Bunting will face Clayton in his quest for a first nightly win since Night Four, while Luke Humphries meets an old rival in Littler. Gian van Veen will take on Gerwyn Price on his birthday in the opening quarter‑final, and Michael van Gerwen will look to consolidate his Play‑Off position against Josh Rock. Points are awarded each night – five for the winner, three for the runner‑up, and two for each semi‑finalist – to build the league table.
The top four players after the regular season will advance to the Finals Night at The O2 in London on Thursday, 28 May. As the season draws to a close, fans can continue to follow the drama every Thursday on Sky Sports or stream the action through NOW. The Premier League Darts 2026 schedule, full tournament dates, and additional content such as the Love The Darts podcast remain available for enthusiasts looking to stay up‑to‑date with every throw and headline.