Luke Littler demolished world No. 1 Luke Humphries to cruise to his fourth Premier League Darts nightly win of the year in Newcastle on Thursday. The 18-year-old continued his title defence in dominant fashion on Tyneside, comfortably dispatching Stephen Bunting, Rob Cross and Humphries at the Utilita Arena.

Littler ensured Bunting’s eight-week wait for his first point since his return to the competition continued with a 6-0 whitewash in the evening’s first match. He wasn’t as deadly against Cross but still eased past Voltage in a 6-3 victory, following up a 110 average with a 98, to set up a mouth-watering meeting with Humphries.

But Cool Hand wasn’t at his best on the night, and despite both players running out of steam in the final, Littler romped to a 6-1 triumph. Humphries hit just 10 per cent of his doubles and couldn’t contain his feelings after missing the chance to make it 4-2, staring down the camera.

It was Littler’s fifth consecutive Premier League nightly final and his fourth win of the campaign, extending his lead at the league summit to eight points.

The Nuke is now on 26 points, having won four titles and 16 matches across eight weeks of action.

Humphries follows him on 18 points, winning 11 matches and two titles. Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price make up the top four on 13 and 12 points, respectively.

Price has the same points tally as Cross but currently sits in the top four, having won two nights and seven matches compared to the latter’s six.

After his latest success, Littler expressed his delight to Emma Paton and Wayne Mardle and admitted that both players were fatigued by the end of the night.

“It’s another week. More points on the board, another nightly win. More comfortable at the top, loads of points ahead. I’m well set coming into the next weeks,” he told Sky Sports.

“I said to Luke, ‘I don’t know how we played that game, we’re both tired’. That’s what happens when you have to play three games in a night. I dug myself over the line.”

Humphries took to X to share his disappointment with his performance but backed Littler’s claims that they were running on fumes.

“Happy to get to the final tonight in the amazing city of Newcastle! Crowd were insane! Unfortunately, me and Luke just ran out of steam in the final… especially myself.

“Gutted to play like that, but there wasn’t much left in the tank! And I hope to put it right next week in Berlin! Thank you for the amazing support.”