Topics: Darts, Luke Littler
Darts fans have called for a major change to the Premier League after watching Luke Littler whitewash Stephen Bunting 6-0 on week eight in Newcastle.
'The Nuke' went on to win his fourth night of the season, defeating Rob Cross 6-3 before ending with a 6-1 win over rival Luke Humphries in the final.
Littler further surged clear at the top of the table, extending his lead over second-placed Humphries to eight points. He is already 14 points - the equivalent of nearly three night wins - ahead of fifth-placed Cross.
For Bunting, meanwhile, this was an eighth consecutive defeat of the season in what is proving to be a nightmare Premier League season in terms of results.
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But that is not to say his scoring has been poor. He averaged 102 against Gerwyn Price two weeks ago but lost 6-4, while he could have comfortably defeated Chris Dobey last week if not for missed doubles.
And against Littler, 'The Bullet' again averaged 102 - but failed to pick up a single leg. He had four darts at double, but missed them all.
Littler averaged 109 in the match, hitting five 180s and 50 per cent of his 12 attempts at double, as well as a 110 checkout.
But after watching the match - and Littler's subsequent wins over Cross and Humphries - darts fans have called for a change.
One wrote: "This has to be the last year of this format in the Premier League."
"Twelve to fourteen players and everyone plays one game per night, bring back relegation and draw aspect," another said.
"Littler beats Cross for like the fourth to fifth time this Premier League season. Sorry but this format really needs changing for next year," a third wrote.
And a fourth said: "This Premier League format just doesn't suit Bunting does it."
Week nine of Premier League Darts takes place in Berlin next Thursday.
Speaking to Sky Sports after his win over Humphries, Littler said: "I'm very happy with my performances tonight. Obviously it drifted off a bit towards the end, feeling a bit tired.
"I'm just good to get over that winning line in the final. My normal throw, or what I was throwing with tonight, I just felt tired so changed it up a bit. After the match, Luke said he was tired, but I just had to stick in there.
"I'm feeling well. Tonight I was feeling tired when I would've been last week in the final. It's all about making sure in yourself you're right, and get up on stage to play these games."
