Luke Littler’s run in Premier League Darts has come to an end of back-to-back wins with Chris Dobey sending him packing after their clash in Berlin
Luke Littler’s winning run has come to an end after he was beaten in the “shock of the season”.
Littler, 18, struggled on the outer ring as a relentless Chris Dobey didn’t need a second invitation to take advantage. The Nuke had gone back-to-back in the past two weeks, beating Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen in the final.
However, that run has come to an end – marking his first Premier League loss since night six, when he was bested by Gerwyn Price in the final at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham.
And fans were quick to react on social media, with one fan dubbing it the “shock of the season”. However, another quickly pointed out Littler had already been beaten by Ian White this week.
“Luke Littler is human after all,” one fan posted. While a second said: “Thank god. Littler is amazing but his dominance was becoming boring. We like close fought events!”
“Constitution Hill falls at Aintree…Luke Littler losses first round on a Prem night…Stephen Bunting wins…?!?! The only normal thing that’s happened today is David Maxwell’s ride on Joker De Mai,” a third joked.
And another added: “Crikey. I think Bunting and Littler have had some sort of a Freaky Friday situation happen!”
Elsewhere, Stephen Bunting got his first win of the Premier League Darts campaign as he bested Nathan Aspinall, while there was no Michael van Gerwen on the evening due to a shoulder injury.
A statement read: “Michael van Gerwen has withdrawn from Thursday’s BetMGM Premier League night in Berlin due to a shoulder injury.
“The Dutchman had been hoping to continue his run of success in the Premier League’s visits to the Uber Arena, which include victories in the 2022 Play-Offs and last year’s league night.
“However, a shoulder injury has meant that Van Gerwen has withdrawn from the event.
“His scheduled quarter-final opponent, Gerwyn Price, receives a Bye through to the semi-finals under tournament rules, taking 2 league points and +1 leg difference. Van Gerwen receives no league points and -6 leg difference.”