Luke Littler quieted the vocal Liverpool supporters and narrowed the Premier League lead with a commanding 6-1 triumph over Jonny Clayton on Night 12. Although Clayton still tops the league on 32 points with four regular weeks left, Littler has closed the margin to just three points, sitting on 29. Gerwyn Price occupies third place with 19 points, while Michael van Gerwen is fourth on 18.
Gian van Veen follows on 14 points and defending champion Luke Humphries is sixth with 13, meaning the battle for the Finals Night is entering a decisive phase. This victory marks Littler’s fourth nightly win of the campaign. The Manchester‑born player endured a chorus of jeers from the partisan Liverpool crowd, who largely backed his opponent, yet he remained composed, particularly on the doubles, and secured a vital win in his quest to finish the league in first place. "It was a good night.
I’m very happy with myself," Littler told Sky Sports after the match. He added, "Usually the doubling isn’t there, but I’m grateful it clicked tonight – a lot of crucial doubles at crucial moments. I’m now only three points behind Jonny, and I’ll keep chasing the top spot. If it doesn’t happen, it won’t, but there are still four weeks left." In the final against Clayton, Littler surged to a 5‑0 lead, denying the Welshman any chance to get back into the contest.
Clayton’s only early checkout opportunities were on the bullseye, and although he managed to avoid a whitewash by taking a single leg, the result was essentially decided. Earlier in the night, Littler had also overcome a formidable Michael van Gerwen in a 6‑5 semi‑final. Van Gerwen displayed a classic performance with nine 180s, a 71% double success rate and a 107.54 average, yet Littler rallied from 1‑3 down, altered his throwing rhythm and showcased superior finishing to clinch the match. Even after Littler’s comeback, the encounter seemed poised for van Gerwen when he broke Littler’s throw with an 11‑dart finish to lead 5‑4 and set up a match dart.
Littler responded by breaking back immediately, celebrating the turnaround and eventually taking the decisive leg. The world No.
1 then hit a 180 at the most critical moment of the final leg, set himself up on 46, and finished on the treble 20, handing the crowd a memorable finish. Luke Humphries suffered a severe blow to his Finals Night aspirations after a 6‑2 quarter‑final loss to Littler, leaving Liverpool without any additional points. Although Humphries scored higher overall, his double conversion was a modest 18%, allowing Littler to race to a 4‑0 lead by hitting four consecutive legs.
Humphries managed to hold his throw twice, but it was insufficient, marking his seventh defeat to the world No. 1 in their last eight meetings.
Clayton, meanwhile, secured his place in a sixth nightly final by edging Gian van Veen 6‑5 in a dramatic showdown. Van Veen started strongly, leading 2‑0, but the Welshman proved his resilience, breaking back multiple times and eventually holding to level the match at 3‑3 with a massive 121 checkout. After another hold, Clayton—nicknamed "The Ferret"—executed a spectacular 156 checkout to move within one leg of victory. Van Veen fought back, breaking again to tie the scores at 5‑5.
When Van Veen missed a match dart at the bull, Clayton responded with a maximum and then hit double 16 under pressure to clinch the win in Liverpool. Clayton also survived a nerve‑wracking 6‑5 quarter‑final against hometown favorite Stephen Bunting. The match was a pure throw‑and‑hold contest, and Clayton, as he has done throughout the Premier League, stayed calm, grew into the game and secured the decider on double 8, much to the disappointment of the partisan Liverpudlian audience. This consistency has seen Clayton amass his ninth quarter‑final victory in the twelve‑week season.
Elsewhere on the night, Gian van Veen opened his campaign with a tight 6‑4 win over Gerwyn Price, debuting new darts in the process. Michael van Gerwen began his evening with a solid 6‑3 victory over Josh Rock. The Premier League Darts race remains wide open.
Defending champion Luke Humphries will look to retain his title as the league continues each Thursday until May on Sky Sports. Fans can stream the action and other top‑level sport via NOW, keeping a close eye on who will ultimately lift the Premier League trophy.