Featured Image Credit: PDC
Topics: Luke Littler, Darts, Fan Reactions
Ryan Smart
Fans spotted what Michael van Gerwen did off-camera immediately after Luke Littler hit a nine-darter against him in the Premier League final in Cardiff.
Littler hit perfection in the fourth leg of the week seven final by checking out 141.
Instead of going for the more traditional T20-T19-D12 route, Littler instead went T20-T17-D16 for an alternative nine-darter.
The result was the same, and the Cardiff crowd erupted as Littler punched the air in front of them.
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But viewers couldn't help but notice how Van Gerwen reacted.
The Dutchman let out a smile and nodded towards Littler after his achievement, but within seconds was focused on the board once again.
He then responded by holding throw in the fifth leg, before breaking Littler to make it 3-3.
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But Littler would break throw to go 5-4 up on Van Gerwen, before checking out 41 to win a third Premier League night of the season and extend his lead at the top of the table to six points over nearest challenger Luke Humphries.
Speaking after the game, the reigning world champion admitted that he hadn't picked up his darts since last week, and instead spent time resting after deciding to skip the Players Championship events in Germany on Monday and Tuesday.
Van Gerwen, meanwhile, was the only member of the Premier League field competing in Germany.
Littler told Sky Sports: "I've been playing very well. I've not picked my darts up since last Thursday - I've just had a complete week off to chill.
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"But to come here and win, six points clear [at the top of the table], I'm comfortable."
When asked by Sky pundit Laura Turner about whether he was sure the double 16 had gone in, Littler responded: "No, I had no idea!
"I just had to wait for Huw [Ware, referee] to call it. You can see my face - I was like, 'Is it? Is it? Yeah, it's there'."