Michael van Gerwen earns measure of revenge as Luke Littler claim validated

Michael van Gerwen gained a measure of revenge as he beat Luke Littler at the Premier League Darts, but it was Luke Humphries who ultimately emerged victorious on the opening night

They went at it hammer and tongs again – but this time, there was no fall-out on the Titanic slipway, just another thunderous game of darts.

And as Luke Littler came up short on the opening night of his BetMGM Premier League title defence, Michael van Gerwen won his first game in five meetings with the former boy wonder. Luke the Nuke’s 113.91 average – the second-highest in defeat in the tournament’s history – was no consolation for his 6-5 defeat by Clog Almighty.

But as Van Gerwen gained a measure of revenge for his PDC World Championship defeat at Alexandra Palace five weeks ago, it was another reminder for Littler that the target on his back is no longer just dartboard-sized: It’s virtually become a helipad.

In his four competitive defeats in 2025, since he was crowned the youngest world champion in history, His Nukeship has averaged 105.12, 107.59, 108.50 and now 113.91. Hardly the stuff of crisis. But it also validated Littler’s claim that his rivals are playing out of their skin against him.

Van Gerwen said: “It took two of us to produce a game that good – and Luke was great tonight.” Littler’s observation that his conquerors invariably fall at the next hurdle also rang true. Van Gerwen was later pipped 6-5 by world No.1 Luke Humphries, who went on to thrash Chris Dobey 6-1 In the final, his eighth win in a row.

Just 24 hours earlier, MVG had admonished the 18-year-old for his timekeeping after Littler had kept his seven Premier League opponents waiting 45 minutes for a group photo with the trophy in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter.

In a memorable strop to prefix another four-month tour in the Thursday night circus big top, the Dutch master told Professional Darts Corporation ringmasters “to stop treating him like a baby” and push Littler into line.

The “baby” will have to grow up fast if 113.91 averages are not enough to win darts matches. A fabulous 161 checkout and sharing 12 maximum 180s in 11 legs was high quality marksmanship, right up there with William Tell and Robin Hood.

But Van Gerwen’s animated celebration, after his fifth match dart found its target, spoke volumes of his relief to put the nightmare of his Ally Pally beating behind him. Earlier, Littler admitted MVG was right to scold him for his late show at the Titanic photoshoot, saying: “I always let my darts do the talking, but he’s not wrong.

“I was late and now I’m 18, I’m responsible for my actions and I did get a little telling off.” The Nuke will also have to adjust his mindset because he is no longer destiny’s child – the teenager’s playgrounds of 2024 have suddenly turned into bandit country and he keeps getting mugged.

He added: “It definitely feels different because last year was the first night in Cardiff where I was coming in as a wild card and a World Championship runner-up. “But it’s totally different with the titles I’ve got and obviously coming in as World Champion.”

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