Summary

  1. Postpublished at 22:09 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 1-0 Joyce (2-2)

    Mark Webster
    Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

    Ryan Joyce will be deflated if he lets this set slip from his grasp.

  2. Postpublished at 22:09 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 1-0 Joyce (2-2)

    Four breaks in a row in this second set and Luke Littler will have the darts with the chance to go two sets up.

    Littler's scoring has not reached the heights we know it can but he's outdoing Ryan Joyce in that area.

    This time he can afford a couple of missed double, returning to hit double 15 for a 13-dart break.

  3. Postpublished at 22:07 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 1-0 Joyce (1-2)

    Luke LittlerImage source, Getty Images

    Ryan Joyce breaks again after Luke Littler misses five darts to win the leg.

    A double 10 attempt ends in the double six for Littler then he misses double four and three darts at double two.

    That allows Joyce to get himself down to 40 and he gets tops at the second attempt.

  4. Postpublished at 22:04 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 1-0 Joyce (1-1)

    Luke Littler breaks back straightaway.

    A 13-darter sealed with a double 15 after three 130-plus visits.

  5. Postpublished at 22:03 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 1-0 Joyce (0-1)

    John Part
    Former PDC world champion on Sky Sports

    Luke Littler didn't adjust on that double and he won't be happy with it.

  6. Postpublished at 22:03 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 1-0 Joyce (0-1)

    Ryan JoyceImage source, Reuters

    Superb set-up and Ryan Joyce breaks to start the second set!

    A pair of 140s looked to have Luke Littler well on the way to a hold but he misses two darts at double 12.

    Joyce's 137 set-up left him 28 and he hits double 14 first time. He's two of two on the doubles so far.

  7. Postpublished at 21:58 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 1-0 Joyce

    John Part
    Former PDC world champion on Sky Sports

    There was nothing wrong with that set. It isn't electric quite yet, but we're getting there.

  8. Littler takes the first setpublished at 21:56 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 1-0 Joyce (3-1)

    Luke LittlerImage source, Reuters

    Luke Littler is on his way.

    A solid hold, finished off with double 10 - what else? - and the 17-year-old moves in front.

  9. Postpublished at 21:54 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 0-0 Joyce (2-1)

    Ryan Joyce gets himself up and running with a 12-dart hold.

    A 140 followed by first first 180 of the night got him well ahead and he hits double eight to seal an 85 out.

  10. Postpublished at 21:52 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 0-0 Joyce (2-0)

    Mark Webster
    Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

    Luke LittlerImage source, Reuters

    This is the best start that Luke Littler has made to a match. It is explosive.

  11. Postpublished at 21:52 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 0-0 Joyce (2-0)

    Double 10 again for Luke Littler to consolidate the break.

    He was a little frustrated at missing tops and double 10 on his previous visit but Ryan Joyce wasn't able to take out 120 so the teenager got another shot at it.

  12. Ramsdale also at Ally Pallypublished at 21:50 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Aaron Ramsdale at Alexandra PalaceImage source, PA Media

    We told you earlier that Manchester City captain Kyle Walker is at Ally Pally tonight.

    He isn't the only England player there.

    Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is the crowd too.

    What will Luke Littler and Ryan Joyce treat them to here?

  13. Postpublished at 21:50 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 0-0 Joyce (1-0)

    What a start from Luke Littler!

    A 180 to start, his next dart also finds the treble 20 to raises hopes of a nine-darter from the crowd.

    However, the fifth deflects into the one but it doesn't stop Littler claiming a 13-dart break of throw by hitting double 10.

  14. Postpublished at 21:48 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler v Joyce

    Here we go, both players are on stage and the last match of the fourth round is just a few moments away.

    Luke Littler is the big favourite to go through but if he gives Ryan Joyce a chance, he is clinical on the doubles so could make things very interesting.

    Joyce will throw first...

  15. How much do you know about Littler?published at 21:45 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Luke LittlerImage source, BBC Sport/Getty Images

    In the past 12 months, teenager Luke Littler has taken the darts world by storm.

    After reaching the PDC World Championship final on his debut, Littler has gone on to become a face of the sport both on and off the stage.

    How much do you know about "The Nuke" and his successes?

    Test your knowledge of Luke Littler with our quiz.

  16. 'Expect Littler to fly out of the blocks'published at 21:44 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler v Joyce

    Mark Webster
    Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

    Ryan Joyce's finishing was at 62% in the previous round - and Luke Littler has started slowly and offered up opportunities in the previous two rounds. I don't think they took them as much as they should have done, but Joyce will if he gets the opportunity.

    Littler will be well aware of that and I expect him to come flying out of the blocks. I can't see him starting that slowly again.

  17. Postpublished at 21:43 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Luke Littler, talking to Sky Sports: "I was asleep during the Luke Humphries v Peter White match. I woke up at half one or two in the morning, checked the score and I couldn't believe it.

    "Now Luke's out, everyone will be looking at me."

  18. Postpublished at 21:41 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler v Joyce

    John Part
    Former PDC world champion on Sky Sports

    Luke Littler is at the stage of the tournament where just winning your matches is the most important thing.

    Having that 100-plus average streak ended then he might come out more free and easy tonight.

  19. What is the format?published at 21:40 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Fourth round - Best of seven sets

    Quarter-finals - Best of nine sets

    Semi-finals - Best of 11 sets

    Final - Best of 13 sets

    Tie-breaks

    From the second round onwards, there will be a tie-break in all matches where a deciding set must be won by two clear legs. If the score in the final set reaches 5-5 then a sudden-death leg will be played. There would be no throw for the bull in any sudden-death legs.

  20. Postpublished at 21:39 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler v Joyce

    That's right, it's Luke Littler time again.

    The fourth seed - and tournament favourite - is up against Ryan Joyce for a place in the last eight.

    Nathan Aspinall is waiting to play the winner.