Luke Littler has congratulated Michael van Gerwen after the 18-year-old lost to the Dutchman on the first night of the Premier League Darts on Thursday. The teenager had entered the showdown hoping to lay down a marker as he looks to win the competition for the second year on the trot.

Luke Humphries beat Nathan Aspinall, Michael van Gerwen and Chris Dobey on his way to winning the opening night of the Premier League Darts; series continues next Thursday in Glasgow with coverage fro

Luke Humphries believes Luke Littler is still the man to beat in the Premier League this year, despite the teenager losing to Michael van Gerwen on Thursday night. Littler had gone into the showdown hoping to get his title defence off to a storming start,

Luke Humphries wins opening night after Michael van Gerwen beats Luke Littler in epic - Littler beaten despite huge average before Humphries marches past Chris Dobey in final

Luke Littler is on the crest of a wave as he defends his Premier League Darts title. But as one rival reminded the 18-year-old, "he's not a baby anymore."

Michael van Gerwen earned a classic 6-5 win over 18-year-old world champion Luke Littler on the first night of the Premier League of Darts in Belfast.

Littler destroyed the Dutchman in the World Championship final at Alexandra Palace last month to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy for the first time.

Michael van Gerwen ended Luke Littler's Premier League title defence in Belfast, securing a 6-5 quarter-final victory despite the teenager's remarkable 113.91 average. The clash at the SSE Arena saw the defending champion fail to secure any points in his opening game of this year's tournament.