Luke Littler turns the boos into cheers as he crushes Rob Cross 6-2 in Liverpool Premier League darts final
LUKE LITTLER turned jeers to cheers at Liverpool as the Manchester United fan beat Rob Cross to go top of the Premier League Darts table.
The Nuke began a banter-packed evening with boos from fans but ended it with his third weekly victory warmly received.
RexMan Utd fan Luke Littler cruised to victory in Liverpool[/caption]
AlamyWinner Littler shakes hands with Cross after his 6-2 final win[/caption]
Littler, 17, beat Gerwyn Price 6-3 in his quarter-final opener, then stunned last week’s winner Nathan Aspinall with a 6-5 comeback thriller and overcame Cross 6-2.
The Warrington starlet’s English rival briefly made him sweat in the final on Night 13 of the Prem.
At 5-0 down and facing a rare whitewash, Cross won two legs in a row.
But the Nuke then took the eighth to clinch victory.
He told Sky Sports: “I knew what was coming this week and I was building up to it.
“I always engage with the crowd and the semi-final I was playing with complete freedom.
“I just felt comfortable tonight. I knew what was coming and I was glad to win.”
Littler added what viewers labelled pure “box office” during his dominant evening – when what appeared a cheeky prediction came true.
He seemed to suggest pal Aspinall would miss a match-winning attempt at bullseye during their semi-final – and was spot on.
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That only helped whip up the atmosphere in the crowd.
And in the end Littler had most fans on his side as he moved five points clear of world champion Luke Humphries in the eight-man table.
The top four qualify for the play-offs in May.
Early in the night, Peter Wright’s 6-3 quarter-final loss to Michael van Gerwen had put “Snakebite” out of his misery.
Wright, who has just four points, is now officially out of contention with three weeks remaining.
Meanwhile, Littler’s most theatrical moments came at 5-3 down to Aspinall.
The Nuke entertained the audience throughout with his amusing range of facial expressions and gestures.
And when the Asp lined up for a shot at bull when 5-3 up, Littler flicked his finger in a way in the manner of his mate throwing.
Aspinall went on to miss – before Littler snatched the leg and then won the next two for a 6-5 triumph.
After checking out with 56, Littler continued his banter with the crowd by celebrating wildly and goading fans.
Repeating his gesture from the start of the evening, he cupped his ear.
And he had clearly had fun again soon after defeating Cross – as this time he cupped the night’s trophy.
He said: “It’s been looking tight [for the play-off places] the last few weeks but I’m glad to win and be clear of it.
“I’m happy to push myself away from the other people but I know it’s going to be tight for the other bunch.”
LITTLER COMPLETES THE COMEBACK!
Darting drama here in Liverpool!
Nathan Aspinall misses a FIFTH match dart, and Littler completes the turnaround from 5-3 down to seal his spot in the final!
https://t.co/gbUt9q25Jh#PLDarts | SF1 pic.twitter.com/8IQcSLEtFY
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) April 25, 2024
RexLittler enjoyed his banter with fans at Liverpool[/caption]
