Luke Littler moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League table with his win in Liverpool over Rob Cross; Watch the Premier League Darts every Thursday night up until the Play-Offs at London's O2 on Thursday, May 23 - live on Sky Sports
Wednesday 1 May 2024 06:48, UK
Luke Littler moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a 6-2 demolition of Rob Cross to win Night 13 in Liverpool.
Littler looked unstoppable in the final as he raced into a 5-0 lead, breaks of throw plus a 111 checkout giving him clear control.
Cross fought back to bring the match to 5-2 but Littler stood strong with a 105 average, taking his favourite D10 for a third nightly win and cementing himself as the man to beat in the regular rounds.
Littler was happy to pick up a crucial victory and admitted he has his sights set on topping the Premier League table after Night 16.
"I'm just happy with the way I played - and obviously this lovely bunch of people," he said.
"But I just wanted to come here, pick up some more points, and hopefully I'm through.
"It's been looking tight for the past two-three weeks but I'm glad I've won tonight and I'm out the way a bit.
"I'm happy to just kind of push myself away from the other people. But I know it's still going to be tight for the other bunch.
"Obviously, there are only three more weeks left and maybe I can top the table."
Earlier on, Littler pulled off an almighty and show-stopping comeback to defeat Nathan Aspinall in a last leg decider to reach the final.
Aspinall, who had taken a 5-2 lead, looked in control but the 17-year-old rallied to bring the game to 5-5, nailing tops for a huge victory and letting out a roar, toying with the crowd throughout the whole tie.
It was a sensational encounter, showing some incredible moments from both players.
Littler started his night by putting a huge dent in Gerwyn Price's hopes of progressing to Finals Night with a 6-3 victory in the opening quarter-final of the night.
The Man United fan, who taunted the Liverpool crowd after they jeered, played with a 104 average in spells and found the only break of throw on his way to a big win.
Cross claimed his spot in the Liverpool final with a 6-2 drubbing of Michael van Gerwen, his first final since Night Five at Exeter.
Van Gerwen was off kilter, missing 16 darts at the doubles, but Cross took advantage, nailing a 121 finish on the way to the win.
Cross also inflicted a costly defeat on Michael Smith as he put in his best performance in several weeks for a 6-4 victory over Bullyboy.
Voltage ended a six-week losing streak with a solid performance, three breaks of throw helping him pick up some crucial points against Smith, who is battling most closely with MVG and Aspinall for a Finals Night spot, the loss dealing a big blow.
Elsewhere, Van Gerwen ended Peter Wright's slim hopes of making it to Finals Night with a comeback 6-3 victory.
Snakebite got off to a good start as he took a 3-1 lead but the Green Machine pushed through to fightback, taking four legs on the bounce to clinch the win and pick up some very useful points.
Meanwhile, Aspinall put in a ruthless display in his 6-2 drubbing on world no 1 Luke Humphries in the quarter-finals.
After getting going with a break of throw then finding another to go 4-2 up, the Asp did not relent, hitting 75% of his doubles plus 121 and 106 checkouts to cruise to the win.
The Premier League continues with Night 14 in Aberdeen on Thursday May 2 at the P&J Live, as Peter Wright takes on Michael Smith before Luke Littler faces Nathan Aspinall.
Michael van Gerwen then takes on Rob Cross before Gerwyn Price clashes with Luke Humphries.
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