Michael van Gerwen was far from his best in the group stages, being eliminated in the opening game of the night on eight occasions, but four nightly wins meant he finished third.

The Dutchman comes alive on finals night though - he has won the previous two years after finishing second and third in the league stage.

He won this event four years straight between 2016-19 and has lifted the title in six of the past eight years.

"The level is high but I think darts in general the levels keep getting better and better all the time," MVG said of this year's competition.

It's hard to believe, it's nothing you can coach or teach, he has that X-factor. Michael Smith was second best.

It's very difficult but Michael Smith is very experienced, but he didn't look like coming.

Littler's scoring was big and his finishing was great, he is going to take some real beating. Littler is a precocious talent, he dealt with that with real aplomb.

The quartet involved tonight won 14 of the 16 nights in the league phase, and world number one Luke Humphries thinks that will lead to an open finals night.

"The last two weeks I've probably been in the better form than everyone else," said Humphries.

"I’ve got that extra little bit of form in front of me, but you know these are the big occasions so I feel like we've got four players that are all up for the big occasion.

"It's anybody's game."

Luke Littler talking to Sky Sports after victory over Michael Smith: "All of it was very good. I only had five treble-less visits. I knew coming into tonight I had the darts, I had to come back and win after the break which was what I done."

Taking out 144 early in the match: "They are the big sharks you have to take out when you are against a big player like Smith who can punish you."

How have you felt coming into tonight?: "Just enjoy it. The build-up has been amazing. Came here a few hours ago, I've been practicing at much as possible. Just see how the next game goes."

What do you make of the other semi-final?: "Just see how it goes, it will be tough to call.

Practice or a game of FIFA now?: "Practice."

We'll get some reaction from the youngest-ever Premier League finalist shortly.

He's kinda the youngest first everything in darts, isn't he?

Then it'll be time to focus on the second semi-final - another Luke v Michael battle between world number one Humphries and seven-time PL champ Van Gerwen.

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Luke Littler leaves 170, on purpose, in an attempt to wrap the match up in style.

The first treble is in but the second misses.

Michael Smith is miles back - and Littler shows no mercy, crashing in double four to take out 65 after bullseye and single seven.

You can see the frustration from Smith, he knows the task is almost impossible.

Solid hold from Michael Smith. The first step in a very big staircase.

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What a dart that final one at tops was. The second one was too good and sat flat. Littler has a unique way of manipulating that dart underneath the previous one.

After that little dip, Luke Littler is back on track. Another successful dart at tops - he's one leg away from more history, the youngest Premier League finalist ever, at 17.

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Smith misses, Littler hits. 8-4. Littler just looks different, he just loves playing darts in front of big crowds.

The door was not open for Michael Smith for long, Luke Littler takes out 107 to break straight back and move two legs from the final.

A PDC UK record crowd of more than 14,000 are estimated to be in attendance at London's O2 tonight - and they are buzzing to be here.

This year's event, which has visited arenas across the UK, Ireland, Germany and Netherlands, has attracted over 150,000 fans - a record since the Premier League's inception in 2005.

"The sport is riding the crest of a wave at the moment and the momentum created by the huge success of the World Darts Championship has been maintained throughout the first five months of 2024," said PDC chief executive Matt Porter.

Image source, PA Media

Michael Smith looked absolutely furious when he walked off at 7-3. That's the positive thoughts he has to think to calm himself. It would be game on if Smith can hold on here.

Image source, PA Media

Now, then, back after the break and Michael Smith breaks the Luke Littler throw.

Michael Smith's three-dart average down at a pretty ordinary 90.65 after those opening 10 legs. Down to all those missed doubles.

Luke Littler, meanwhile, averaging a healthy 100.27 and fully meriting his four-leg lead.

Michael Smith is just feeding off the scraps right now.

The teenager misses two darts at his favourite double - double 10.

But Michael Smith is all over the shop - his checkout percentage must be awful.

Littler though throws him a lifeline - which Smith somehow manages to grab hold of, landing double 15 with last dart in hand to keep his slim hopes alive.

Michael Smith surely must break throw here to have any chance.

He hits a 140 to leave 63. Gets one dart at tops - but misses.

Luke Littler hits it dead bang in the centre of the bed. The 17-year-old cruising here.

Smith has got to keep believing. He often thrives when challenged and the challenge is the biggest of them all right now.