2024 Premier League: Luke Littler Sweeps Michael Smith Aside for Final Spot
Premier League Darts semi-final: Littler dominates Smith with electrifying play, securing a spot in the final.
Night 17 at The O2 in London
Following 16 thrilling nights of league phase action, the Premier League Darts roadshow culminated in front of a record-breaking crowd of over 13,500 fans at The O2 in London. The first semi-final on the night featured a highly anticipated clash between teenage sensation Luke Littler and the surprising underdog, Michael Smith.
Littler’s Dream Debut Meets Smith’s Resolute Record
Littler, who had an outstanding debut campaign, finished top of the league phase, celebrating nightly wins in Belfast, Manchester, Liverpool, and Aberdeen, affirming his credentials. This remarkable achievement makes him only the fourth player in Premier League history to top the league phase on debut, following in the footsteps of legends Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, and Glen Durrant.
Michael Smith had a roller-coaster season, starting with a win on the very first night in Cardiff and clinching the final Play-Off spot with a victory on the last night of the league phase in Sheffield. Despite his mixed performances, Smith entered the semi-final with confidence, holding an impressive record against Littler, having won five of their seven professional meetings, a feat unmatched by the other Premier League stars.
In this high-stakes semi-final clash, Smith was determined not to be overawed by the young prodigy, setting the stage for a memorable encounter at The O2.
Image credit: PDC
Littler Lights Up The O2
The Warrington wonderkid electrified the start of the match, storming to an early 4-1 lead. His impressive run included a scintillating 144 three-dart checkout and a back-to-back 12-dart leg, featuring seven perfect darts in the third leg, to secure the match's first break of throw.
In the eighth leg, Littler extended his lead to 6-2 with another break of throw. This came after a dramatic series of missed darts at double from both players, following a couple of holds of throw from each.
Heading into the mid-match break, the 17-year-old remained in firm control with a commanding 7-3 lead. Smith, thus far, had no response to Littler's impressive performance, highlighted by his consistent ton-plus average on one of darts' most prestigious stages.
The Nuke Ascends into the final
Despite Smith managing to clinch the first leg following the break, Littler maintained his relentless onslaught, breaking Smith’s throw once again to edge within one leg of the Premier League final, establishing a commanding 9-4 lead.
Bully Boy rallied to secure one more leg, the 17-year-old phenom swiftly swept him aside, leaving no room for doubt as he sealed a convincing 10-5 victory.
With this triumph, Littler solidified his spot in the final, where he awaits the victor of the Luke Humphries versus Michael van Gerwen clash, poised to continue his remarkable debut campaign on darts' grandest stage.
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