Luke Humphries crowned champion of the world after pulsating final against Luke Littler

Luke Humphries has crowned himself champion of the world for the very first time following a thrilling, back-and-forth final that lived up to the hype. After 11 pulsating sets, Humphries won 7-4 over teenage sensation Luke Littler.

With Littler beginning a little nervy, uncharacteristically averaging in the mid-80s for most of the set, Humphries took full advantage to race through the opening set by three legs to one and move into an early lead.

After Humphries went 2-0 up in the second set, things were beginning to look a little concerning for the 16-year-old. A fabulous string of three successive legs for Littler including finishes of 142 and 120 however, soon ensured things were all level once again.

In set 3, it was Littler's turn to 2-0 up in a set only for it to slip away. Humphries, surviving two missed set darts from Littler along the way, reeled off legs 3, 4 and 5 in the set to retake the lead.

Despite losing set 3 however, Littler had definitely begun to assert himself on the game much more and in set 4, he once again got out in front early, going 2-0 up. Although Humphries pulled one leg back, this time the teen held on, to win the set and square up the final at 2-2.

For the first time in the match, Humphries began to show signs of frailty in set 5. After both exchanged holds of throw to start the set, Humphries missed a golden chance to break the Litter in leg, allowing two darts at tops to pass him by. Littler royally punished before breaking throw himself in leg 4 to take the set and the lead for the first time in the match.

Although Humphries had the darts in set 6, Littler was the one to race through the set in three straight legs after misses on the outer ring began to creep into the game of both players.

Humphries quickly put that to the back of his mind in the opening leg of set 7, reeling in the 'Big Fish'. Littler battled back, sending the set to a decider with a 112 finish but when the 16-year-old missed a dart for the set, Humphries capitalised to pull back to 4-3 and bring the game back on throw in the process.

As the tournament 180 count reached a record-breaking 902, Humphries continued his mid-match fightback, easing to a 2-0 lead in set 8. Missing a dart on the bull for a level game though, Littler punished to break the throw and make it 2-1 in the set. Nevertheless, it would be 'Cool Hand Luke' who took the set to make it 4-4.

Suddenly, for the first time in the tournament, Littler looked as if he was on the ropes. Humphries taking control of set 9. Although Littler did fight back in the set, a brilliant 11-darter sealed the deal for 'Cool Hand Luke'.

Despite Littler's continued brilliance, the 16-year-old matching Humphries and pinning a 170 of his own in set 10, the new world number one was relentless. Pushing his average up over 104, Humphries took the set 3-1 to move one away from the win.

Littler had the darts in set 11 and held in the opening leg to get a foothold. Humphries answered with a hold of his own in leg 2. Despite a couple of missed darts at double, Littler then made it 2-1 via double 16 despite enormous pressure on him. After Humphries held in leg 4, Littler missed multiple chances to make it 6-5 allowing Humphries a shot and on his second match dart the title was won.