In the electrifying arena of Newcastle, the darts world witnessed yet another chapter in the meteoric rise of Luke Littler, the 18-year-old prodigy who’s rewriting the script of the Premier League Darts. On a Thursday night that buzzed with anticipation, Littler didn’t just defeat Stephen Bunting—he dismantled him, delivering a ruthless 6-0 whitewash in a mere ten minutes. The victory was more than a win; it was a statement from the reigning world champion, who then turned his attention to his struggling rival with a blend of empathy and wisdom beyond his years. “I think last week he said he’s putting too much pressure on himself, without a win in eight weeks,” Littler observed, pinpointing the mental hurdle Bunting has yet to clear. His advice? Simple yet profound: “If I were Stephen, you’ve just got to relax. You’ve just got to say, ‘Come on, win that first game.’ I’m sure once he gets that first win and gets that winning feeling, he’ll go on.”
For Bunting, the night was a stark contrast to Littler’s triumph. Known as “The Bullet,” the 39-year-old Liverpudlian has been a fan favorite, his walk-on song igniting crowds with an infectious energy. Yet, in this 2025 Premier League season, he’s found himself anchored at the bottom of the table, winless after eight weeks. His match against Littler was a microcosm of his campaign: a respectable 102 average overshadowed by Littler’s blistering 109, five 180s, and a 50 percent checkout rate. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a player ranked No. 4 in the world, who reached the World Championship semifinals earlier this year and boasts a Masters title to his name. But in the high-octane world of Premier League Darts, past accolades offer little comfort when the wins won’t come.
Littler’s dominance didn’t end with Bunting. That night in Newcastle, he marched on to claim his fourth nightly victory of the season, toppling Rob Cross 6-3 in the semifinals and then crushing world No. 1 Luke Humphries 6-1 in the final. “I’m very happy with my performances tonight,” Littler said afterward, though he admitted to a slight dip as fatigue crept in. “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.” His tally now stands at 26 points, eight clear of Humphries, with a staggering 16 match wins in the campaign. The teenager’s form has sparked whispers of a “fear factor” among his rivals, a notion he doesn’t shy away from. “Performances, I think that does go to show how everyone says I am the best in the world at the minute,” he mused, balancing humility with the confidence of a champion.
For Bunting, the road ahead is daunting. His winless streak stretches back a decade in Premier League play, his last victory a distant memory from 2015 against Gary Anderson. Now, with eight consecutive losses in 2025, he’s one defeat away from tying Peter Wright’s unwanted record of 13 straight Premier League defeats. Yet, Littler sees a spark of hope. “Once he gets that first win, I’m sure he’ll win quite a few,” he predicted, suggesting that Bunting’s talent—evident in his high averages and past successes—could ignite a turnaround. “I think he could win a night,” Littler added, a nod to the potential still simmering beneath Bunting’s struggles.
The contrast between the two players couldn’t be sharper. Littler, the teenage sensation, is riding a wave of momentum, his every throw a reminder of why he’s the defending Premier League champion and a world titleholder. Bunting, meanwhile, is wrestling with the weight of expectation, a seasoned pro caught in a storm of self-doubt. “He’s struggling at the minute,” Littler acknowledged, his words carrying a mix of respect and encouragement. As the Premier League caravan rolls on to Berlin and beyond, all eyes will be on whether Bunting can heed the advice of his young conqueror—relax, reset, and rediscover the winning feeling that’s eluded him for so long. For now, Littler reigns supreme, a beacon of brilliance in a sport where pressure can either forge diamonds or shatter dreams.