Luke Littler arrived mere minutes before Premier League Darts started in Leeds due to side hustle: "We went to the Post Office to send some cards off eBay"

Luke Littler won his third night on the spin in this year's Premier League Darts sealing Night 14 in Leeds and stopping Luke Humphries winning a hat-trick of titles as a result over the years in his second home.

But it was a night that as Littler explained it was touch and go whether he would even make it to the arena after he set off late and got stuck in traffic. He did eventually make it and won the night with very little practice seeing off Michael van Gerwen, his nearest rival Jonny Clayton and of course Humphries again to win Night 14 of the Premier League.

"Like I said earlier tonight, I would’ve preferred to go straight on stage. I managed to have a little practice, but yeah, another nightly win for the tally," said Littler in his press conference. "I came straight from home. We were supposed to leave at three, but I wasn’t ready, Faith wasn’t ready, and we were rushing around. Then we went to the post office to send some cards off from eBay — getting all the shipping and tracking sorted. That’s why we were almost late, but we got here in time."

"I was driving! It was a bit reckless, but I had to get here. The timing on the sat-nav just kept going up and up. We got here about twenty to seven, quarter to seven, so it all worked out well."

But in the end he managed to get there and produced when it mattered most with some huge finishes throughout the night including a 141 against Michael van Gerwen and 146 in the final. "Obviously taking out any big shot is always a good feeling. The one against Michael was probably the biggest shot I’ve hit this year. It was good to see Michael battling again. Then to get past Jonny and past Luke, yeah, I think the next two weeks are going to be very interesting and I’ll be watching along.'

In addition, amid the glut of last-leg deciders, he backed himself each time to get through. "I’ve said for many years, even when I was on the JDC, I always back myself in a last leg. I just say to myself: it’s do or die, you’ve got to hit it — and that’s what I did. Again with Luke, same as last week, his worst leg was that last one. But yeah, another nightly win."

He is also in the belief perhaps, that he is in their heads at this point, beating MVG and Humphries again. "Obviously beating them numerous times in last-leg deciders over the years helps me. Like you said, it might be in their heads: “Hang on a minute, it’s me against Luke Littler in another last-leg decider.” I might already have won over them before that leg even starts. Ever since the JDC days, I’ve always backed myself, and I think I produce really well in deciding legs."

"Whether you beat them comfortably or in a last leg, it’s always on the mind. Obviously the record with Gezzy is a pretty even one, and me and Luke beat each other all the time, same with me and Michael. But if I keep getting these wins week in, week out, it gives me a lot of confidence. Then when they next face me, they know they’ve got to produce even better."

Heading towards The O2 having already secured his spot, it is all about that now and racking up even more wins. "I think I’m playing very well. The last three weeks have been wins, and that’s all down to me and the right preparation. I can say when I’ve been at home, I’ve not really been practising, but that’s just what I do. I’ll turn up here, have a few hours if that, and then produce it on stage."

"I think the most nightly wins is definitely one to go for. It’s a long old night with the three games, but I’ve done it numerous times before. Hopefully I can break my own record."

But also for Littler amid previous booing after the incident with. Van Veen, he told the crowd that he hopes they get bored as it doesn't seem to be putting him off in the grand scheme of things.

"I think it’s always going to come, and this is what I’ve got to do, just keep winning and keep winning. Eventually, hopefully they’ll get bored of me because nothing’s really working. Ever since Rotterdam, even tonight, there were a few boos, but nothing will ever top that. I think I can battle past anything now."

But also as a Manchester United fan, Littler said it was nice to get one over the Leeds faithful with Humphries of course, supporting them and the Leeds squad being in attendance. "Think I was round the corner from the venue and saw them all. I spotted Ethan Ampadu and thought, “Is that Ethan Ampadu?” Then I saw Willy Gnonto — the little one! I beeped at them and they all looked over, so I beeped again. Luke’s obviously got a very good record there, so it was nice to get one over him."

But also on Clayton, who hilariously said he had a bet with over Manchester United v Liverpool. "Think I’m a bit clearer now. Coming into it, Jonny was probably the least favourite to win it, fifty to one or something, and he’s proved everyone wrong again. To increase the gap over Jonny, especially with the way he’s been playing, and to beat him tonight, I think that was crucial. We’ll just have to see how the next two weeks play out."

"I got a nice little £50 off him, cash in hand, so that was nice! I think we said we’d post each other in a Liverpool or United shirt as well, but I didn’t get involved with that. I’m not into all the AI editing stuff. But yeah, I took £50 off him and hopefully took top spot off him tonight too."