Michael van Gerwen turns the tables, defies near 114 average from Luke Littler in Premier League Darts epic

Michael van Gerwen is through the Quarter-Finals on Night One of the 2025 Premier League Darts after playing out a gripping epic against Luke Littler in Belfast.

Van Gerwen edged out the reigning champion in a gripping last leg decider with a 106 average in comparison to 113.9 from 'The Nuke' with six 180's apiece.

The duo exchanged 11-darters in the opening two legs before Littler missed a dart at the bull and Van Gerwen took out 80 to cement a narrow lead in the early going at 2-1.

But Littler showed no signs of letting up as he aimed to get back on level terms. He pinned a superb 161 checkout to draw level at 2-2. It was a let off from Van Gerwen from there which perhaps sent the match in his favour.

He missed the big number and Littler missed double 20. The Dutchman returned to level up. The Nuke was averaging 115 to MVG's 107 at 3-3 in the tie. He then added a 4-3 lead as he hit a 114 checkout after Littler fluffed his lines on double 13. MVG hitting double 17 to do so.

The reigning champion was punished for more costly missed darts at doubles as Van Gerwen hit double 10 to move a leg away from victory.

Van Gerwen missed three darts for a 6-3 success and Littler capitalised though to get the match back on throw as he sent it all the way. Van Gerwen missed 124 for the win and Littler had 167 but he struck into treble 7 as he winced looking at what he just missed. Van Gerwen cleaned up hitting double eight as LIttler told the crowd to stop whistling as MVG went for the double.

A remarkably good opening gambit to what will likely be a match we see a lot of in this year's tournament. MVG though moves on to potentially face Luke Humphries who follows up next against Nathan Aspinall.