Clayton: Littler was not fazed by hostile crowd in Rotterdam

Jonny Clayton was impressed with the way Luke Littler was unfazed by the hostile crowd to reach the final in Rotterdam as the Welshman landed his second consecutive nightly win in the Premier League.

Clayton picked up a fourth nightly win of the campaign in just 11 weeks and extended his lead at the top of the table to five points after claiming his third win against world champion Littler in this year's competition.

The Welsh No 1 saw off home hero Michael van Gerwen, Josh Rock and Littler to storm to victory at the Rotterdam Ahoy on Thursday, upping his points tally to 29 after just 11 weeks.

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Clayton began the showpiece trailing 2-0, after Littler opened with an 11-darter and followed with a break of throw.

The 2021 Premier League champion rallied, taking three legs straight to lead for the first time in the match, and later took out a clutch 78 outshot with Littler waiting on a double to go one leg away from victory.

Littler took a 15-dart hold to threaten a comeback, but Clayton capitalised on profligate finishing from his opponent, taking out tops to secure his fourth nightly win and all but secure his spot at the O2.

"I'm not going to say anything because Littler will come back and beat me up," joked Clayton during his press conference.

"He's got everything that every other player wishes for. He's got that attitude, he's got the throw, he's got the mentality. He's got everything. What a player and to beat him, I've done my job."

"I had to do something special because it's my 20th anniversary today and I did forget!" said Clayton, who holds a 16-point buffer from fifth in the Play-Off race.

"I watched last week's game against Michael [van Gerwen] and it hurt a little bit when someone said I was favourite to finish bottom.

"That really hurt. It annoyed me a bit to be honest. It's going good for me now and I've got a massive smile on my face."

Littler bolstered his chances of a Play-Off spot at London's O2 by making his fourth final in seven weeks, seeing off Gerwyn Price and Josh Rock to move up to 24 points in the standings.

Speaking to Sky Sports after his quarter-final win against Gerwyn Price, Littler said: "It was exactly what I expected, the boos and whistles. But I knew as soon as I got on stage I could do my job. I was practising very well before the game."

Three-time world champion, Glen Durrant, said: "You called it frosty. I called it hostile. But that's what the Premier League is about.

"He didn't react each time he was winning legs; he wasn't allowing the crowd to get involved.

"Price was nowhere his best; he averaged under 90 which was a bit of a disappointment, but Littler dealt with the situation incredibly well. There was an unbelievable atmosphere in here."

What's happening on Premier League Night 12 in Liverpool

The BetMGM Premier League heads to the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool which hosts another crucial night of action, as the race for the Play-Offs intensifies.

Home hero Stephen Bunting will take on Clayton in his pursuit of a first nightly win since Night Four, while Luke Humphries faces old foe Littler.

Gian van Veen will face Gerwyn Price on his birthday in the opening quarter-final of the night, and Michael van Gerwen will hope to consolidate his Play-Off spot as he locks horns with Josh Rock.

Ranking points are awarded per night - with five to the winner, three to the runner-up and two to the semi-finalists - to form the league table from which the top four players will progress to Finals Night at The O2 in London on Thursday May 28.

Who will win this year's Premier League Darts? Luke Humphries will be defending his title and you can watch the action every single Thursday until May on Sky Sports. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW.