Michael van Gerwen beats Nathan Aspinall to win Premier League of Darts night in Newcastle - as it happened

Summary

Final result: Nathan Aspinall 4-6 Michael van Gerwen
Van Gerwen makes it three successive nightly wins
Semi-final results: Aspinall 6-4 Cross & Littler 5-6 Van Gerwen
Quarter-final results: Smith 5-6 Aspinall, Cross 6-5 Humphries, Wright 5-6 Littler, Price 4-6 Van Gerwen
Aspinall's first wins of 2024 Premier League season; Wright yet to win
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Live Reporting

Sam Drury

Wright breaks to leadpublished at 20:42 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February
Peter Wright 5-4 Luke Littler
Image source, PA Media
Brilliant set up from Luke Littler to leave himself 36 but he misses three darts at double!
That leaves Peter Wright with a chance, he misses a dart at tops but nails double 10 and moves to within one leg of the semis...
Postpublished at 20:40 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February
Peter Wright 4-4 Luke Littler
Glen Durrant
Former Premier League champion on Sky Sports
When Peter Wright believes he achieves it.
Luke Littler seems to have that spirit about him tonight though.
Easy hold for Wright - and it's levelpublished at 20:40 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February
Peter Wright 4-4 Luke Littler
The simplest of holds for Peter Wright and he hits tops to level it up.
This is some game!
Postpublished at 20:39 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February
Peter Wright 3-4 Luke Littler
Dan Dawson
Commentator on Sky Sports
This standard is good enough to win the whole night at a canter.
Wright hits backpublished at 20:39 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February
Peter Wright 3-4 Luke Littler
Image source, PA Media
Peter Wright hits a 180 and Luke Littler almost takes it as an affront.
He fires in two treble 20s but the third dart bounces out.
That gives Wright the advantage and with Littler not on a finish, he leaves himself double eight and he takes it out on his next visit.
Postpublished at 20:37 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February
Peter Wright 2-4 Luke Littler
Dan Dawson
Commentator on Sky Sports
This is the best we've seen from Peter Wright for months. He's losing despite playing the best we've seen in ages.
Postpublished at 20:37 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February
Peter Wright 2-4 Luke Littler
Glen Durrant
Former Premier League champion on Sky Sports
This isn't over yet with the way that Peter Wright is playing but you've got to admire Luke Littler.
Littler breakspublished at 20:37 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February
Peter Wright 2-4 Luke Littler
Image source, PA Media
No doubt about who the crowd are supporting as they chant Luke Littler's name.
They're delighted as Peter Wright is unable to give himself a double despite getting down to a finish first.
Littler hits double 12 at the second attempt and takes a two-leg lead.
Postpublished at 20:35 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February
Peter Wright 2-3 Luke Littler
Glen Durrant
Former Premier League champion on Sky Sports
Oh, coddy, coddy!
Is he inspiring Peter Wright, though?
Littler reels in the big fish!published at 20:35 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February
Peter Wright 2-3 Luke Littler
Image source, PA Media
Peter Wright is flying but despite a couple of signs of frustration, Luke Littler is not going anywhere!
A 170 checkout? No problem! Brilliant from the teenager to retake the lead.
Postpublished at 20:33 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February
Peter Wright 2-2 Luke Littler
Glen Durrant
Former Premier League champion on Sky Sports
Peter Wright is back level and fair play to Snakey.
It just makes it a better tournament that Nathan Aspinall is winning games and Peter Wright is back at his level.
Wright levels it uppublished at 20:33 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February
Peter Wright 2-2 Luke Littler
Four maximums already for Luke Littler - one in every leg!
It's not enough, though.
Both players make a meal of it on the doubles but Peter Wright eventually hits tops and we're all square.
Postpublished at 20:30 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February
Peter Wright 1-2 Luke Littler
Dan Dawson
Commentator on Sky Sports
This is a proper game of darts we've got here.
Peter Wright is averaging 111!
Wright breaks straight backpublished at 20:30 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February
Peter Wright 1-2 Luke Littler
So close to the big fish for Luke Littler!
He is the wrong side of the wire on the bullseye and after missing two at double 10, Peter Wright has a chance.
Taken! Double 16 hit and we're back on throw. What a start to this match.
Postpublished at 20:29 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February
Peter Wright 0-2 Luke Littler
Glen Durrant
Former Premier League champion on Sky Sports
There is nothing more I can say about Luke Littler. All of the superlatives have been used.
Forget about yesterday and don't think about tomorrow, just enjoy him today.
He seems relaxed and are we about to see one of his barnstorming performances?
Littler breakspublished at 20:29 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February
Peter Wright 0-2 Luke Littler
Pure class from Luke Littler.
A tops-tops finish. He'd already hit a 180 and despite Peter Wright putting the pressure on, having left, himself 60, Littler finishes it off effortlessly.
He is on it tonight!
Postpublished at 20:27 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February
Peter Wright 0-1 Luke Littler
Glen Durrant
Former Premier League champion on Sky Sports
This is a new version of Luke Littler. He seems to be enjoying himself based on his walk on.
Littler holdspublished at 20:27 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February
Peter Wright 0-1 Luke Littler
There he goes, a first 180 for Luke Littler!
Quite the response from Peter Wright though as he answers in kind.
Snakebite has a dart at bull for the early break but is way off and Littler takes out tops on his next visit to hold.
Postpublished at 20:27 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February
Peter Wright 0-0 Luke Littler
Glen Durrant
Former Premier League champion on Sky Sports
There are definite signs that Peter Wright is improving.
His opening night was a real concern. So much so that I even sent him a message with some thoughts.
He seems to be finding his range and rhythm again.
Postpublished at 20:25 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February
Peter Wright 0-0 Luke Littler
Luke Littler has the darts and we're ready to go...