logo
Luke Littler beats Gerwyn Price to edge closer to retaining Premier League crown

Luke Littler beats Gerwyn Price to edge closer to retaining Premier League crown

Leader Live29-05-2025
The teenager, who claimed his first major title at the O2 Arena 12 months ago, has dominated the league phase of the second biggest tournament in the sport, with six nightly wins and a record 45 points.
But no one has caused him more trouble than Gerwyn Price and it looked like the Welshman was going to prosper again as he led 6-4 at the break.
Luke Littler wins six of the last seven legs against Gerwyn Price to complete a superb comeback in our opening semi-final!
The World Champ is one win away from retaining his crown!#PLDarts25 pic.twitter.com/oHO7yYQASm
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) May 29, 2025
Littler had a word with himself, though, and returned to the stage a different animal, winning six out of seven legs to claim a 10-7 victory.
It was the type of spell which has defined his short career, where his ability to get on a roll means he is never out of a match.
Littler will face Luke Humphries in the final later, knowing one more win will see him follow in the footsteps of Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen in defending a Premier League crown.
'The first 10 legs I went 6-4 down and I went off stage and needed to get myself up for it,' he said on stage. 'The first five or six legs I was nervous, but I love coming on after a break.
'I relaxed myself and got the job done.
'I stormed off the stage but that was just in my own head, I sat down had a drink, cooled myself down and told myself I could do it. I got the job done.
'I was very nervous in the first five or six legs. I know myself, I can relax now.'
Humphries set up a rematch of last year's final as he beat Nathan Aspinall in a gripping second semi-final.
The world number one, who is chasing his first Premier League title, beat Aspinall 10-7.
It is a fitting showpiece for the tournament as Littler and Humphries have been the standout players over the course of the 17 weeks.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

William Saliba demands step up from Arsenal in pursuit of overdue league title
William Saliba demands step up from Arsenal in pursuit of overdue league title

North Wales Chronicle

time19 minutes ago

  • North Wales Chronicle

William Saliba demands step up from Arsenal in pursuit of overdue league title

Mikel Arteta has transformed the Gunners into regular title contenders in recent years, but they have been unable to turn their improvements into silverware. Arsenal have finished second for the past three seasons, finishing just shy of champions Manchester City in 2022-23 and 2023-24 before ending up 10 points behind last season's winners Liverpool. The near misses have made standout centre-back Saliba all the more determined to help the club win a first Premier League since the 2003-04 Invincibles, and a first major trophy since the 2020 FA Cup. A post shared by William Saliba (@ 'Of course we've finished second for three years in a row, and we know that we always miss something,' the Arsenal defender told the PA news agency. 'Now it's a new season, we have to see what we didn't do well enough to win the league. 'We won the first game and of course we want to win the league, and we will give everything. We have to try to be even better than the last three seasons to win this league. 'We know that the new players who came to help us, and I'm sure that they will help us to win some trophies. Of course we are already better with them. Let's see.' Saliba was speaking at the PFA Awards in Manchester, where on Sunday he helped Arsenal claim three points from their opening trip to Ruben Amorim's United. Riccardo Calafiori's header after Altay Bayindir flapped at a corner under pressure from Saliba secured a 1-0 win against the run of play at Old Trafford. 'We want to score in any context – set pieces, counter-attack, everything,' the France international said. A post shared by Arsenal (@arsenal) 'We have to give everything and we know that we can win every time. 'Of course we knew that we didn't play our best football, but at the end we knew that it was the first game at Old Trafford with some new signings from them. 'We knew that they will be good, and they were good. They caused us a lot of problems but, at the end, we are happy to win this game and to keep a clean sheet.' Saliba spoke having been named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year for the third straight season – 'a pleasure' he again got to share with Arsenal team-mates Declan Rice and Gabriel Magalhaes. The 24-year-old has struck up a fantastic defensive partnership with the latter during their time at the Emirates Stadium, but collective success rather than individual glory is the focus. 'I'm so happy to play every game with him,' Saliba said. 'He's been injured the last few months, now he's back at his best. He was so good against Manchester again. 'We just miss trophies. We play good, we are good, but we miss trophies, and we have to win trophies with Arsenal to be even better.'

Alan Shearer says Alexander Isak statement poured ‘flames on the fire'
Alan Shearer says Alexander Isak statement poured ‘flames on the fire'

North Wales Chronicle

time19 minutes ago

  • North Wales Chronicle

Alan Shearer says Alexander Isak statement poured ‘flames on the fire'

Isak has been trying to force a move out of Newcastle all summer but was frustrated earlier this month when the club rejected an offer from Liverpool, reportedly worth £110million plus add-ons. Having sat out their pre-season tour of Asia and trained alone since, missing Saturday's goalless draw at Aston Villa in Newcastle's Premier League opener, Isak escalated the situation further on Tuesday night with a post on Instagram in which he said 'the relationship can't continue'. Speaking to Betfair, Shearer said the situation is now an 'absolute mess' as he pointed the finger at Isak's agent Vlado Lemic. 'If I was him, I'd get his agent in a room and sack him on the spot immediately, because he is meant to be giving him the advice to sign that six-year deal and there's no get out clause,' Shearer said. 'I mean, it's ridiculous. And to take anyone's word in football… it's nonsensical to say that someone said, 'Oh, I'll be able to get out at the end of the season'. Really? I mean, come on… 'I've always said there are two sides to every story, but my feelings are exactly the same: he's gone about it in the wrong way… 'I just think even releasing this statement last night has thrown flames onto the fire, which he didn't need to do. Newcastle United statement: Alexander Isak — Newcastle United (@NUFC) August 19, 2025 'I get that we needed to hear his side of the story and we've heard that now, and I'm not saying I don't believe him or I don't believe Newcastle, I'm just saying it's very, very messy for him and for the football club. It doesn't benefit anyone.' In his statement, posted on Instagram on Tuesday evening, Isak had said: 'The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. To act now as if these issues are only emerging is misleading. 'When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can't continue.' Newcastle responded by denying that Isak had been granted any assurances over a potential move. 'We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer,' a club statement said. This is the latest episode in what has already been the primary saga of this transfer window. Liverpool had a bid rejected at the start of August but have retained an interest in a player who scored 27 goals in 42 games for Newcastle last season despite signing Hugo Ekitike – a forward who was also targeted by Newcastle. Newcastle are said to value Isak at £150million, and would only consider a sale if they have signed a replacement. As well as missing out on Ekitike, Newcastle were frustrated in their pursuit of Benjamin Sesko who chose to join Manchester United. Isak has three years remaining on his contract at St James' Park. Isak's representatives have been approached for comment.

William Saliba demands step up from Arsenal in pursuit of overdue league title
William Saliba demands step up from Arsenal in pursuit of overdue league title

Rhyl Journal

time19 minutes ago

  • Rhyl Journal

William Saliba demands step up from Arsenal in pursuit of overdue league title

Mikel Arteta has transformed the Gunners into regular title contenders in recent years, but they have been unable to turn their improvements into silverware. Arsenal have finished second for the past three seasons, finishing just shy of champions Manchester City in 2022-23 and 2023-24 before ending up 10 points behind last season's winners Liverpool. The near misses have made standout centre-back Saliba all the more determined to help the club win a first Premier League since the 2003-04 Invincibles, and a first major trophy since the 2020 FA Cup. A post shared by William Saliba (@ 'Of course we've finished second for three years in a row, and we know that we always miss something,' the Arsenal defender told the PA news agency. 'Now it's a new season, we have to see what we didn't do well enough to win the league. 'We won the first game and of course we want to win the league, and we will give everything. We have to try to be even better than the last three seasons to win this league. 'We know that the new players who came to help us, and I'm sure that they will help us to win some trophies. Of course we are already better with them. Let's see.' Saliba was speaking at the PFA Awards in Manchester, where on Sunday he helped Arsenal claim three points from their opening trip to Ruben Amorim's United. Riccardo Calafiori's header after Altay Bayindir flapped at a corner under pressure from Saliba secured a 1-0 win against the run of play at Old Trafford. 'We want to score in any context – set pieces, counter-attack, everything,' the France international said. A post shared by Arsenal (@arsenal) 'We have to give everything and we know that we can win every time. 'Of course we knew that we didn't play our best football, but at the end we knew that it was the first game at Old Trafford with some new signings from them. 'We knew that they will be good, and they were good. They caused us a lot of problems but, at the end, we are happy to win this game and to keep a clean sheet.' Saliba spoke having been named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year for the third straight season – 'a pleasure' he again got to share with Arsenal team-mates Declan Rice and Gabriel Magalhaes. The 24-year-old has struck up a fantastic defensive partnership with the latter during their time at the Emirates Stadium, but collective success rather than individual glory is the focus. 'I'm so happy to play every game with him,' Saliba said. 'He's been injured the last few months, now he's back at his best. He was so good against Manchester again. 'We just miss trophies. We play good, we are good, but we miss trophies, and we have to win trophies with Arsenal to be even better.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store