“The crowd are getting to him” – Luke Littler booed again in Northern Ireland amid struggles in the Premier League Darts

Luke Littler continues to struggle in the Premier League Darts. The 19-year-old world champion lost to Jonny Clayton in Belfast for the second week running and is still waiting for his first final of the season.

After the heavy 6-1 defeat in Glasgow, a 6-3 loss followed in the quarterfinals in Northern Ireland. Clayton was once again more clinical on the doubles and punished the world number one’s misses without mercy.

Littler also had to contend with a restless crowd during the match. Trailing 5-2, he was interrupted mid-throw by a loud whistle from the stands. The Englishman stepped off the oche, smiled, and gestured towards the crowd as if to challenge the reaction. Shortly after, he produced a fine 112 checkout and urged the audience to calm down.

It proved only a stay of execution. Clayton sealed the match in the ninth leg and recorded a convincing win over the world champion for the second week in a row.

Sky Sports commentator Dan Dawson saw how the circumstances took their toll. “The crowd are getting to him. He is going to laugh it off. It is probably the best way to deal with it. This is what pressure does to people. Luke Littler 5-2 up probably ignores that," Dawson analysed.

According to the commentator, the defeat was mainly down to finishing. “It’s not quite clicked for him in the Premier League yet. Clayton has been better than Littler and it is mainly down to the doubles. Littler was let down by his doubling and Jonny mercilessly punished that, beating Luke for the second straight week.”

The numbers back that up. Littler scored solidly but missed chances on the outer ring at key moments. Clayton stayed steady and took his opportunities.

For Littler, it’s another setback in a competition where he impressed last year. After four match nights he sits on four points, two of which came when Michael van Gerwen had to withdraw ill in Glasgow, handing Littler a bye into the semifinals.

The contrast with his Euro Tour showing is stark. Last weekend he dominated the Poland Darts Open, pairing high averages with flawless finishing. In the Premier League, that sustained sharpness is missing for now.