Luke Littler hoping to pile more misery on Gerwyn Price after Sheffield slip-up
Littler finished off a record-breaking league campaign in style as he claimed a sixth nightly victory in Sheffield to finish on 45 points – a new high in this format of the competition.
He topped the table to set up a semi-final meeting with Price in the play-offs at the O2 next Thursday.
Luke Littler wins his sixth PL night of the year in Sheffield! 🏆#PLDarts pic.twitter.com/joymrgbGWm
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) May 22, 2025
The Welshman was third in the table and primed to meet Luke Humphries until he let a 5-1 lead slip against Chris Dobey in the Sheffield quarter-final, allowing Nathan Aspinall to leapfrog him.
Price has a 7-6 winning record against Littler, including six in a row, but Littler is ready to punish him further.
'Gezzy was 5-1 up, if he won that game he would have been third,' Littler said. 'Is that a mistake? Certainly I am ready for next week. He has the record against me, but it is the O2.
'It's a long 16 weeks, but when you're in the position I've been in, number one for pretty much throughout the whole Premier League you have just got to stay there.
'That first semi-final is so crucial to get over the line and get to the final. Hopefully I can pick up the big one next week.
'I am very happy to break the records I have broken this year. But for myself, winning in Sheffield is a massive boost and a massive bonus and it gives me a lot of confidence going forward next week.'
If Littler does beat Price, he will meet either Humphries or Nathan Aspinall in the final as he looks to defend the title he won last year.
Aspinall booked his spot in the semi-finals after he beat Michael van Gerwen, who missed out on the play-offs for just the second time in 13 years.
The Dutchman is suffering an alarming slide as he struggles to hang on to the coat-tails of Littler and Humphries, who are clear at the top of the sport.
Michael van Gerwen failed to qualify for the Premier League play-offs for just the second time in 13 years (Nigel French/PA)
But Littler expects him to bounce back, saying: 'I remember we did some interviews for the Premier League leading up to it, and me and Michael both said once the hunger goes out of us, then we'll stop playing.
'But the hunger it's definitely not out of him. We know Michael, he'll bounce back.'
Littler's preparations for his victory in Sheffield were soured somewhat by Manchester United's Europa League final defeat to Tottenham on Wednesday night.
The 18-year-old, who watched in a city centre bar, said of his favourite club: 'Shambles. Even losing that game everyone knows what it means financially for the club.
'But fair play to Spurs.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Benjamin Sesko to Arsenal transfer update as Mikel Arteta makes final decision
Mikel Arteta could finally have a new striker at his disposal as Arsenal progress in their bid to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig in a crucial transfer window for the Gunners Arsenal face an important summer in the transfer market as they once again attempt to bridge the gap to finding success under Mikel Arteta. For third year in succession the Gunners finished as runners-up in the Premier League and probably missed an opportunity along the way. Arteta is keen to see his squad strengthened in the coming months and a new striker is top of the agenda. The Gunners have been linked to a long list of players, including Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres. It is not the only position Arsenal hope to improve in however. Nico Williams remains of interest for Arteta and Morgan Rogers, Real Madrid star Rodrygo and Leroy Sane are all said to be shortlisted. There are just two days remaining of the first transfer window of the summer. Arsenal won't have long to wait until it is once again available to them on June 16. Mirror Football takes a look at the latest transfer news and rumours around the Emirates below. Sesko talks scheduled Arsenal are set for more talks for the transfer of Benjamin Sesko, as the Gunners attempt to finally land a new forward. There is no agreement in place between the north London side and RB Leipzig just yet but they have already pencilled in another round of talks with positive feelings over reaching an agreement according to Sky Sports Germany. Leipzig still await an official offer from Arsenal, and have placed a price-tag of £60m on the 22-year-old star. Striker convinced Arsenal are solely focused on landing Benjamin Sesko and advancing their course to get a deal over the line, with no move for Viktor Gyokores expected currently, per reports. The deal is said to be advancing well for Sesko, as the consensus appears, with Mikel Arteta proving convincing. It is claimed that Sesko has been 'sold on Arteta's project' having decided to remain in Germany last season amid the Gunners' long-term interest. The 41-cap Slovenia international now appears prepared to leave. Zubimendi concern Martin Zubimendi has two reasons to reject a move to Arsenal with Real Madrid lurking in wait. The Gunners have an agreement in place with Real Sociedad over the transfer but Zubimendi has yet to have a medical and has said he expects a long summer. Reports in Spain suggest that Zubimendi would prefer to remain in his home nation however, eve if he is to leave Real Sociedad. AS claim Zubimendi is 'attracted' to the idea of playing for Real Madrid under Alonso too, having previously played under him for Real Sociedad B. Real Madrid are interested in the 26-year-old and new Los Blancos boss Xabi Alonso is said to have made the player his primary target. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd to earn 'substantial' windfall for player sold less than 12 months ago
Manchester United's Profit and Sustainability concerns are set to be eased with one of their former academy players expected to be on the move this summer, just a year ater leaving the Red Devils Manchester United are set to earn a substantial transfer windfall thanks to former star Maxi Oyedele. The United academy graduate left the Red Devils a year ago for Legia Warsaw, having never played a senior game at Old Trafford. But he has starred in Poland, making 24 appearances in all competitions as Legia won the Polish Cup. That was their first major trophy since 2023, with Oyedele playing all 90 minutes of the final. Though he only joined last summer and has two years to run on his contract, the midfielder is attracting strong interest. Werder Bremen, PSV Eindhoven, Anderlecht, Club Brugge and a number of Championship sides are understood to be monitoring the 20-year-old. There is a release clause in his contract that means he is available for a tick over £5million this summer. There is a growing expectation at Legia that he will be departing the club after just one season. If he does indeed move on, it would bank United a healthy sum, which will go a way towards easing their concerns with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules. The Red Devils are hoping to be busy this summer and any fee received will be greatly appreciated. In a surprise move given he left just 12 months ago, United will benefit substantially from Oyedele's potential transfer. When they sold him last summer, United inserted various clauses into the deal. While they only sold him for a small fee, one of the clauses they inserted was a substantial sell-on clause to ensure future profit. That sell-on clause means that United are entitled to 40 per cent of any fee Legia receive for the midfielder. If he is sold for his release clause, it would see United bank just over £2m. That money would likely go straight into easing their PSR concerns, with a buy-back option also included in the original deal. A departure for Oyedele would come as somewhat of a surprise given his short time in Poland. Speaking in April, the youngster insisted he was happy with life in the capital city. 'It's just funny for my mum because she left Poland to come to England and make a life; I left England to go to Poland to start my journey,' Oyedele told The Guardian. 'Legia was the biggest opportunity. "I don't even think I realised how big of an opportunity it was when I heard about it. I felt like this was the opportunity to play in Europe, the biggest team in Poland. It's my nationality, so it's close to the national team. "It's always a risk to leave it, but it just seemed like the best choice. I couldn't afford to waste another year playing academy football. I could have stayed in England and continued my journey and who knows what would have happened." Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Premier League clubs in the race to sign Newcastle duo with Magpies set for overhaul after securing Champions League qualification
Two Newcastle midfielders could be on their way out of St James' Park this summer amid interest from Premier League sides. The Magpies secured Champions League qualification on the final day of the Premier League season and will be keen to bolster their squad after struggling to deal with the demands of domestic and European football during the 2023-24 campaign. Having failed to break into Eddie Howe 's settled starting side, several first team stars are expected to depart the club this summer. Among them include the likes of Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock, who started eight and 11 matches in the Premier League respectively. Newly promoted side Leeds United are showing interest in Longstaff, who failed to register a goal or an assist in his 25 appearances in the top flight. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are among the clubs keen on Willock, who fared slightly better with two assists in his 32 outings. Elsewhere, Leeds also admire Shea Charles of Southampton and have asked about Udinese defender Jaka Bijol. Charles made 44 appearances on loan in the Championship with Sheffield Wednesday and has earned three senior international caps for Northern Ireland.
