Jonny Was Good . . . But Luke Littler was Something Special in Cardiff

But despite another superb run to the final on home soil, Clayton was left with a familiar feeling of frustration after losing 6–4 to teenage sensation Luke Littler in Night Five of the Premier League Darts.

Clayton had carried the hopes of the crowd throughout the evening in Cardiff, producing two strong performances earlier in the night to book his place in the final. 

The Welshman first averaged 95.54 in a 6–4 quarter-final victory over Gian van Veen before repeating the same scoreline to defeat world number one Luke Humphries in the semi-finals.

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Those wins ensured the Ferret would again play for the nightly title in front of a partisan home audience. 

Yet, just as the atmosphere inside the arena reached fever pitch, Littler produced the quality that has already made him one of the sport’s biggest stars.

The final began at a blistering pace. Littler broke throw immediately in the opening leg, but Clayton responded instantly when the 19-year-old failed to take out 68 with three darts in hand. 

The Welshman punished the miss to break straight back and ignite the Cardiff crowd.

Moments later the arena erupted again when Clayton nailed a brilliant bullseye finish to take the lead for the first time in the contest. 

For a brief spell it looked as though the Carmarthenshire man might ride the energy of the home support all the way to victory.

But Littler quickly reminded everyone why he is the reigning back-to-back world champion.

READ MORE: Jonny Clayton Hails Premier League Triumph as a Career Highlight

The teenager produced a stunning 170 checkout — the famous “Big Fish” — to swing momentum back in his favour. Remarkably, it was the second time in the evening he had landed the maximum finish, having also used it to defeat fellow Welshman Gerwyn Price in the semi-final.

At 3–3 the match was perfectly balanced, with both players holding throw as the tension inside the arena continued to build.

Littler then came agonisingly close to sending the crowd into complete delirium with a nine-dart finish. 

The Warrington prodigy powered through the first eight darts but narrowly missed double 15 for perfection. 

Clayton immediately capitalised on the reprieve by returning to the oche and checking out 41 to claim the leg in dramatic fashion.

READ MORE: Welsh Pair Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton Backed as Right Picks for Premier League

Even so, Littler maintained his composure. A steady hold of throw levelled the match again before a second break put the teenager within touching distance of the title.

Clayton, despite the backing of the Cardiff crowd, could not quite find a way back. 

Littler sealed the victory in the next leg, pinning double 16 to finish 52 with his final dart and claim his first nightly win of the 2026 campaign.

The triumph lifted Littler into the top four of the Premier League table and marked an important breakthrough after a difficult start to the season.

"It took me a little while to get settled in to this tournament, as it did in the first year," Littler told Sky Sports.

"I've done really well tonight and I'm proud of myself.

"The table looks good now, it wasn't looking good when I was in seventh. It just goes to show that tonight I had to focus on myself."

Littler later explained he had deliberately slowed his rhythm on stage after feeling dissatisfied with his performances in previous weeks.

“It took a while to get settled in, as it did in the first year. But tonight, I’ve done really well and I’m proud of myself.

“I said in my pre-match interview, every week I felt good, but I’ve just not shown it. Even practicing, I’ve been playing well.

“But I’m just glad tonight I could take practice and bring it on to where that’s what I’ve done.

“I had to [improve], especially here in Wales. I slowed it down a little bit tonight.

“A little twist of the flight here and there, I just felt very confident. I slowed down practicing and it was going OK.

“When the fans are on your back, you just sort of take your time and just measure the shots well.

“I’ve not been happy in the practice room. I’ve just been wanting to practice and wanting to get on stage and just get over and done with.

“The table looks good. It wasn’t looking good in seventh. But it just goes to show tonight. I think I had to focus on myself.

“Even the first game against Josh, it wasn’t the best. I think he had over 103. I had a 96 and I came out victorious. But then against Gezzy and Johnny, I had to put it in.”

For Clayton, the defeat was tough to take, particularly after such a strong night in front of his home supporters. 

Yet there was still a positive outcome for the Welshman: his run to the final ensured he remains top of the Premier League standings.

Earlier in the evening, Humphries had opened with a dominant 6–1 victory over Michael van Gerwen, finishing clinically on the doubles by converting six of his ten attempts. Meanwhile Price survived a match dart before edging out Stephen Bunting 6–5 in a tense encounter that further lifted the Cardiff crowd.

Ultimately though, the night belonged to Littler — and to Clayton’s disappointment.