World Darts Championship LIVE RESULTS: Luke Littler takes on Brendan Dolan, Van Gerwen vs Williams
LUKE LITTLER is back in action on New Year's Day as he takes on Brendan Dolan in the quarter-finals of the World Darts Championships.
Also in action on Monday is Michael van Gerwen, who takes on Scott Williams.
Meanwhile Rob Cross is up against Chris Dobey and Dave Chisnall faces Luke Humphries.
- Live stream:NOW TV
- TV channel: Sky Sports Darts
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Luke Littler's football link
Luke Littler – a mad keen Manchester United fan – has had goodwill messages from legends like Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville and Jonny Evans.
Littler's dream would be for David Beckham to follow him on social media.
Premier League footballers are falling over themselves to meet the 16-year-old and grab a photo.
Only last week, the Brit was approached for a picture by Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Aaron Ramsdale before he headed off to the Emirates to watch the tie with West Ham from the corporate boxes.
Luke Littler's former dream
Only six years ago, Luke Littler was dreaming of being a Premier League footballer until he was forced to make a choice and instead opted for darts.
It was my dad who told me to stop playing football, arguing that my darts were more important. I just looked at him and said: ‘I love football.’ That’s every kid’s dream.
But I also had darts on the side of it. I was missing football matches to play darts and luckily it has all paid off.
I found myself a good management and good sponsors before lockdown. That has been massive. I was a centre-back. No-one was getting past me!
Luke Littler
Today's darts schedule
Here's how the World Darts Championships quarter-finals will go on tonight:
From 12.30pm:
- Rob Cross vs Chris Dobey
- Brendan Dolan vs Luke Littler
From 7.30pm:
- Michael van Gerwen vs Scott Williams
- Dave Chisnall vs Luke Humphries
Dart of the matter
Tonight's headliner Luke Humphries revealed his family health scare after his nail-biting fourth round victory over Joe Cullen.
There have been 751 180s hit so far in this event, which means the bookies will donate a minimum £751,000 so far to the charitable cause.
It is all part of THE BIG 180 campaign, which wants middle-aged men to check out online their risk for the disease.
Humphries, 28, said: “This charity is very close to my heart. My girlfriend’s dad had a scare recently. He was very, very lucky.
“He was honest about it and wants to share his story about how lucky he was. He caught it in time. These things need awareness raised.
“Paddy Power have been fantastic with the recognition.
“What they are donating is amazing. Hopefully we can reach a million pounds by the time the world final is played. Darts is just a game. Life is more important.”
Luke who is on
So get ready for 2.15pm this afternoon when Luke Littler plays to reach a stunning semi-final place against Chris Dobey in his quarter-final.
And that is just in the middle of what can only be described as a BUMPER day of darts headlined by the favourite Luke Humphries vs Dave Chisnall.
Today's order of play
Monday January 1
From 12.30pm....
- Rob Cross vs Chris Dobey
- Brendan Dolan vs Luke Littler
From 7.30pm...
- Michael van Gerwen vs Scott Williams
- Dave Chisnall vs Luke Humphries
Littler's Prem dream
Luke Littler says he really wanted to be a Premier League footballer before darts took over his life.
“It was my dad who told me to stop playing football, arguing that my darts were more important," he said.
“I just looked at him and said: ‘I love football.’ That’s every kid’s dream.
“But I also had darts on the side of it. I was missing football matches to play darts and luckily it has all paid off.
“I found myself a good management and good sponsors before lockdown. That has been massive.
“I was a centre-back. No-one was getting past me!”
Littler in dreamland
Luke Littler knows he's on the precipice of something special, but he still can't quite believe it.
“It’s unbelievable," Littler said.
“I know Mike Tyson. Pele, I know off playing Fifa on my computer, but I don’t know the other one.
“I have certainly broken the rules and records already but I know if my game is there I can break even more records.”
History maker
To put into context what incredible Luke Littler is achieving at Ally Pally, let’s compare his teenage tricks to other sporting greats.
Brazilian legend Pele, for example, scored dazzling goals as he won his first of three World Cups aged 17 in 1958.
Boris Becker stunned the world of tennis in 1985 when he lifted the Wimbledon singles title for the first time aged 17.
Boxer Mike Tyson emerged from the mean streets of Brooklyn to claim the world heavyweight title for the first time after his 20th birthday.
Yet Littler, aged only 16 years old, is remarkably THREE wins away from reaching the pinnacle of his sport.
What started out as a notable underdog story is really gaining momentum and nobody left in the PDC World Darts Championship will take Littler – six months after he finished school – for granted.
Later on today he's set for the biggest match of his life.
Happy New Year, darts fans!
It's been a cracking World Darts Championships so far at the Ally Pally in London.
16-year-old Luke Littler has taken the tournament by storm, blitzing his way to the quarter-finals in electric fashion.
On New Year's Day he takes on Brendan Dolan in a huge match-up with the winner set for a place in the semis.
Elsewhere today, ex-winner Rob Cross takes on Chris Dobey, who beat last year's champion Michael Smith with ease.
Favourite Luke Humphries is up against Dave Chisnall and Michael van Gerwen comes up against Scott Williams.
So get set darts fans, the business end of the tournament is coming right up!
See you in the morning - hope your heads aren't too sore.
Double Tott
Luke Littler underlined his new-found celebrity status by watching Spurs beat Bournemouth 3-1 as a guest of England star James Maddison.
The youngest ever World Championship quarter-finalist, 16, recreated a little of the buzz he's made at the Ally Pally as fans spotted him relaxing in the stands during Sunday's Prem clash.Viewers were quick to point out the Warrington wonderboy is a Manchester United fan.
But his mind looked to be more on his own remarkable achievement the previous day than the Red Devils' latest misfortune.
Soon after United slumped 2-1 at Nottingham Forest, Little crushed his idol and four-time world title winner Raymond van Barneveld 4-1.
Getting Pally
Darts fans praised "classy" Luke Littler after his show of respect to Raymond van Barneveld during his famous Ally Pally win.
Littler demolished his hero 4-1 to reach the World Darts Championship quarter-final.
But fans were taken aback after the 16-year-old decided not to have a crack at the bullseye to seal victory.
Needing a 170 checkout, Littler hit the two treble 20s he required but instead of clinching the win with a sensational bullseye, he opted for double ten instead.
That left the youngster with 30 left on the scoreboard and he pointed to his head as he looked at the crowd.
Littler knew the leg was all but won as Barney was on 273, leaving the Warrington teen with three darts to win the match.
What did Luke Littler say after his World Darts Championship debut?
Littler was understandably in high spirits after his first round triumph, he said: “If I average 106 in every game from now on, I’ve got a chance.
“All the nerves are out of the way now. This ranks at the top. It was crazy to see little kids with my own top on.
“It was a massive experience. The crowd were always singing. I’m glad they were on my side and it helped me get over the line even more.
“I couldn’t sleep on Tuesday night as I was so excited for this match.
“Walking on, I was nervous but when I stepped on to the stage, I said: ‘Wow.’ I didn’t want to go into my own shell. I wanted to be myself and I did.
“I will treat myself to a kebab. Get myself some bottles of Coke and bottles of Fanta.”
Little by Little
Luke Littler has been the standout star at this year's World Darts Championship - and he will continue his remarkable story in the quarter-finals.
The 16-year-old caught the eye after his performance on his tournament debut, beating Dutchman Christian Kist in the opening round at Ally Pally.
He will face Brendon Dolan in the quarter-final of the World Darts Championship.
The match is scheduled to take place on Monday, January 1st, 2024.
Littler will face Dolan in the second clash of the afternoon session - after Rob Cross vs Chris Dobey.
The 16-year-old's quarter-final match is expected to take place at approximately 2.15pm GMT.
Fight club
Michael van Gerwen has revealed the moment he threw cocky Phil Taylor to the floor in an off-oche bust-up.
Mighty Mike, 34, and The Power, 63, had an altercation backstage several years ago during the Grand Slam of Darts, then held at the Civic Centre in Wolverhampton.
MVG turned into Oche Balboa after Taylor boasted about his friendship with boxing legend Ricky Hatton.
The Dutch ace, hoping to win the World Darts Championship, said: “At the old venue, Phil came backstage and he was talking about his friend Ricky Hatton, blah, blah, blah.
“He was doing these little boxing moves. Shadow boxing. He came up to every player. But I didn’t know what he was doing.
“I took him . . . and before I knew it, he was on the floor next to me. That’s how it happened.
“I thought, ‘What did I do?’ He was like, ‘What happened here?’.
“Who threw the big Phil Taylor on the floor? Yeah, sorry, that was me. It was quite funny. I was more shocked — ‘Did I really do it?’.”
Who does Luke Littler play next at the World Darts Championship and when will the match take place?
Luke Littler will face Brendon Dolan in the quarter-final of the World Darts Championship.
The match is scheduled to take place on Monday, January 1st, 2024.
Littler will face Dolan in the second clash of the afternoon session - after Rob Cross vs Chris Dobey.
The 16-year-old's quarter-final match is expected to take place at approximately 2.15pm GMT.
Littler on beating Van Barneveld
Speaking after his win, Littler said: “Unbelievable. I don’t know what to say. I went 2-0 up, then 3-0 up. I said to my family, ‘three legs away, one set away, and then I am over the line’. I have done it.
“Barney said to me at the end, ‘you can go all the way. I hope you go all the way’. I said: ‘Thank you.’
“He is a true gentlemen. I respect Raymond very well.
“I’ve pictured myself winning it. I look at the draw and see Brendan next and then Chris Dobey against Rob Cross in the other quarter.
“I fancy myself. I do fancy myself. If I can get over the line and so does Chris, we can play each other – we have the same management. I will just focus on Brendan.
“It was unbelievable. The crowd were singing: ‘Walking in a Littler wonderland.’ They were both on our sides. I am so glad to get over the line. I will see my family and chill out.”
Recap of yesterday's results
Williams 4-1 Heta
Gurney 2-4 Chisnall
Cross 4-0 Clayton
Dolan 4-3 Anderson
Van Barneveld 1-4 Littler
Humphries 4-3 Cullen
That's all folks
Well, what an incredible night of darts.
First, we saw Gary Anderson fall by the sword after nearly mounting an astonishing comeback against Brendan Dolan.
Then, up stepped boy wonder Luke Littler to wipe the floor with his hero Raymond van Barneveld to march into the quarter-finals.
And to top it off, Joe Cullen and Luke Humphries produced the match of the tournament to end 2023 on a high.
We're standing up because we love the darts too.
Goodnight for now.
Take a bow, you two
This was as thrilling as it gets.
Both Joe Cullen and Luke Humphries delivered a thriller for us.
What a way to end 2023.
Humphries 4-3 Cullen
Heartbreak for Cullen.
Joy for Humphries, who takes the tie breaker leg 6-5. That was an epic, with nine match-winning darts missed.
Cool Hand Luke finished on treble 20, 20, then double 10.
It was a case of who held their nerve.
This is astonishing
Nerves, nerves, nerves.
It's 5 legs each. I don't know how.
Both had opportunities to finish each other off, countless darts were missed.
Humphries missed three darts at double five, then Cullen busted.
Humphries hit five, Cullen needed eight, then hits double four.
Humphries 3-3 Cullen
How does he keep pulling out these finishes?
Humphries levelled up the match at four legs each.
Cullen was on a 50 finish, but Luke closed on 86.
Then he took the ninth leg, with tremendous resilience.
Humphries 3-3 Cullen
Saves the match!
Cullen was on 44 for the match, having gone 3-2 up in legs.
Humphries, somehow, checked out a 100. amazing. We're even again.
Humphries 3-3 Cullen
Cullen raced ahead in the first two legs - that first one, leaving himself with six darts to finish off 40.
A 180 put him in charge of a second leg, before Humphries can't hold a throw and lets Cullen in.
Humphries bites back, though, to win the third leg and fourth.
Now, one of this lot will have to win by two legs.
