Jonny Clayton delivered one of the standout performances of the Premier League season, defeating Gian van Veen in the final to claim Night Three in Glasgow. The Welshman’s victory followed a 6-1 win over a struggling Luke Littler and a crucial 6-2 triumph over Gerwyn Price, ending a long-standing losing streak against the latter.

Clayton’s Stellar Performance

Clayton, the 2021 Premier League champion, showcased his experience and skill as he navigated through three formidable opponents. His 156 checkout against van Veen sealed the night’s victory, marking a significant moment in his career. ‘The Ferret’ expressed his satisfaction with his performance, stating, ‘I felt good tonight, didn’t expect the 6-1 against Luke, but I felt good and my darts were going.’

Clayton’s performance was highlighted by an impressive average of 101.33 and a 6/9 success rate on doubles. His ability to consistently hit high-value finishes, including 110 and 106, underscored his dominance over Littler, who had been out of form following a bye in the tournament due to Michael van Gerwen’s withdrawal.

Challenges for Luke Littler

Littler, the world No 1, faced his second consecutive semi-final defeat in the Premier League this year, a result that has left him yet to reach a nightly final in 2026. Analysts have noted that Littler’s current performance has not reached the levels expected of him, with former Premier League star Wayne Mardle commenting, ‘It’s a real small sample but he’s not playing to his 105/106 average.’

Littler’s struggles have been evident in his recent matches, with his average falling short of his usual standards. Despite his recent world championship success, Littler has yet to find his form in the Premier League this season, and his upcoming match against Clayton is seen as a key test for his performance.

Van Veen’s Resilience

Gian van Veen, making his Premier League debut, showed resilience by coming back from 3-1 down in his semi-final against Luke Humphries. The Dutch star averaged nearly eight points less than Humphries but managed to secure a nail-biting final leg to reach the final for the second time in three weeks.

Humphries, the defending Premier League champion, delivered a remarkable performance against Josh Rock, averaging almost 106 and hitting 60% of his double attempts. Rock, however, faced a hostile reception from the crowd in Glasgow, with his cheeky 3-1 gesture during his walk-on drawing boos.

Rock attempted to quell the crowd with a 140 checkout, but it was Humphries who ultimately secured the win, setting up a semi-final clash with van Veen. The Dutchman had also defeated Stephen Bunting in the quarter-finals, averaging 104.3 and hitting 6/9 on doubles, including a brutal 114 checkout to secure an early break.

Van Gerwen’s withdrawal due to illness affected the tournament’s structure, with Littler receiving a bye to the semi-finals. Van Gerwen, who had started the season strongly, was ruled out of the Glasgow event, impacting the tournament’s dynamics and leaving the door open for other players to rise in the rankings.

Looking ahead, the Premier League continues to evolve with upcoming matches set to take place in Belfast on February 26, where Rock will face van Veen. Meanwhile, Littler is set to face Clayton, and Van Gerwen will aim to make his return in Glasgow to face Price in a highly anticipated quarter-final match.