A disappointing 6-3 defeat against the Irishman, who picked up his first points of the tournament, knocked the man known as “the Ferret” off the top spot of this year’s competition, with World Champion Luke Littler reaching the summit for the first time after the night victory in Berlin.
The 51-year-old, 2021 champion, though, says he is not feeling the pressure from the performance of others and is just focusing on his own game.
“I just think about my game, and I don’t really care about anyone else, to be honest with you. I just want to be there on finals night.
“I’ve been there before, I know what to do, I need to be there come week 17, and that’s all I care about.
An impressive win over Dutchman Michael van Gerwen, with two 170 checkouts, sent favourite Littler to his second weekly triumph in a row, and third of the competition, after securing maximum points previously in Dublin and against Clayton in Cardiff in week five.
The Warrington-born 19-year-old is now two points clear of Clayton, with Gerwyn Price and van Gerwen currently occupying the remaining top four spots.
Eight more nights remain before the top four players compete in next month’s finals at the O2, and Littler is well aware that he needs to keep up his strong form to fend off his opponents hot on his heels.
“I’ve bounced back from a bad start back to where I think I should belong – at the top, said Littler.
“Jonny’s had a great start as well, and there’s no doubt Jonny will keep chasing; everyone’s going to keep chasing for top spot.
“The last few years, I think it’s been about 25 or 26 points that get you in [to finals night]. Call it 30 points, and then I’ll say I’m in. Everyone wants it, we know that. We’ve just got to keep going.”
Premier League Darts – Week 9 odds
Find the latest Premier League Darts – Week 9 betting odds here, odds courtesy of Betway and are subject to change.
- Luke Littler – 4/6
- Luke Humphries – 11/2
- Gerwyn Price – 13/2
- Jonny Clayton – 9/1
- Michael van Gerwen – 9/1
- Gian van Veen – 14/1
- Stephen Bunting – 66/1
- Josh Rock – 125/1
