Luke Littler can’t help himself with jibe at Newcastle fans: “You were brilliant, but ps 3-1"

The Premier League Darts 2026 kicked off last night at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle. The weekly title went to Michael van Gerwen, who proved too strong for Gian van Veen in the final with a 6-4 win.

After back-to-back titles at the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters and the Winmau World Masters, Luke Littler had put together a new nine-match winning streak at TV events. “The Nuke” therefore started as the clear favorite to win the opening night of the Premier League Darts 2026 as well.

Littler faced Gian van Veen in his opener, whom he had thrashed 7-1 in the World Championship final in early January. This time, though, it unfolded differently. Littler, unusually, failed to average over 100 — as did Van Veen, incidentally — and had to concede 6-4 to the 23-year-old Dutchman.

Littler didn’t dwell on the defeat for long. The same evening he responded on Instagram: "Newcastle you was brilliant, onto next week. P.S 3-1."

The 19-year-old Englishman — a Manchester United supporter himself — was referring to the second leg in the English League Cup semi-finals. That defeat meant Newcastle failed to reach the final. In the past, Littler has also taken playful digs at fans of other football clubs.

Littler will not be in action next week at the first two Players Championship events of the year. “The Nuke” is fully focused on Night Two of the Premier League Darts, which takes place this Thursday at the Afas Dôme in Antwerp.

In any case, Littler has fond memories of Belgium; over the past two years he has been the standout at the Belgian Darts Open each time, a tournament that is part of the European Tour.