Jonny Clayton enjoyed one of the darting performances of his life to crush Gian van Veen, a misfiring Luke Littler and Gerwyn Price to win the Premier League in Glasgow.
The 2021 champion enjoyed his return to the top table by fending off three of the most in-form players in the sport on a night to remember for the Welshman.
Having ended his losing streak against Price, Clayton demolished an out-of-sorts Littler 6-1, before beating Van Veen 6-2 to cap off a stellar evening in Glasgow – sealing victory with a magnificent 156 checkout.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Clayton reflected on winning Night Three in Glasgow with Emma Paton and Wayne Mardle
“I felt good tonight, didn’t expect the 6-1 against Luke I have to be honest, but I felt good and my darts were going, when your finishing is good the confidence goes up and tonight was my night,” said Clayton, who now tops the Premier League standings with nine points.
“I’m enjoying myself, when you enjoy what you’re doing things seem to happen. I have a bit of experience in this tournament, it’s my favourite and I know what I have to do to get to finals night.
“I don’t like that I’m the oldest in the practice room, miles ahead! It’s nice to see different faces, the young guns, that’s the future of our game. I’m enjoying myself and have to concentrate on myself and not them.
“I just enjoy it, I really enjoy it. Stadiums like this, the crowd is fantastic, it’s where you want to be.”
Was Littler caught cold in semi-finals?
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights of the semi-final between Littler and Clayton in Glasgow
Welsh No 1 Clayton bulldozed world No 1 Littler 6-1 to reach the final, averaging 101.33 and hitting 6/9 doubles.
‘The Ferret’ was lethal on the outer ring, smashing 6/8 on doubles with finishes of 110 and 106 with the Warrington phenom seemingly caught cold after receiving a bye following Michael van Gerwen’s withdrawal due to illness.
Former Premier League winner, Glen Durrant, told Sky Sports: “If you asked me who would win semi-final two I went Littler, these races to six is why the Premier League is fantastic.
“Littler looked stunned at the end. The double 16 for Clayton was a dream.”
“The Premier League hasn’t been up there with the levels we expect of Luke Littler. We are waiting for him to go boom,” added Laura Turner.
Littler was caught cold by a red-hot Clayton in Scotland
It was the second semi-final defeat in a row for Littler in the Premier League this year, meaning the back-to-back world champion is still yet to reach a nightly final in 2026.
Van Veen battled back from 3-1 down and survived two match darts against Luke Humphries to reach the final for a second time in three weeks in a semi-final thriller.
The Dutch star, on his Premier League debut, averaged nearly eight points less than Humphries, but managed to claim a final-leg nail-biter.
Is there pressure on Littler?
Luke Littler is sitting in SIXTH position in the Premier League standings
Former Premier League star Wayne Mardle said: “I didn’t think I’d be saying it so soon, that there’s a tiny bit of pressure on Luke Littler. Not to go and win the night but win and feel better because he’s not playing anywhere near his normal standard.
“It’s a real small sample but he’s not playing to his 105/106 average, which seemingly he can do on his head. It’s not working for him, it’s not going his way.
“Against Jonny he’s playing a man that doesn’t fear him, it’s a big game for Luke Littler.”
Rangers fan Rock booed on Glasgow bow
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Rangers fan Josh Rock is booed during his walk-on and practice throws in Glasgow
Humphries delivered a fantastic performance, averaging almost 106 and taking out 60 per cent of his double attempts to defeat Rangers supporter Josh Rock, who was booed in Glasgow.
Rock stoked the fire by making a cheeky 3-1 gesture after Rangers’ recent win over Celtic in the Old Firm derby during his walk-on.
‘Rocky’ then smashed in a 140 checkout to silence the boos, but it was defending Premier League champion Humphries who produced a classy display, winning four straight legs to set up a semi-final meeting with Van Veen.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Rock silenced the boos with with BIG checkout…
The Dutchman inflicted a third straight quarter-final exit on Stephen Bunting as he prevailed in the opening encounter with a 104.3 average and 6/9 on the doubles.
Van Veen took out a brutal 114 to capitalise on Bunting’s three missed darts at double, securing an early break, before landing a 124 and sealing the win with an 11-dart leg.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Van Veen hit this finish during his quarter-final match against Stephen Bunting
Clayton ended his run of 10 straight defeats against Price, defeating his compatriot for the first time in almost three years!
‘The Ferret’ averaged just shy of a ton in a fantastic display to defeat his World Cup-winning team-mate, hitting a trademark 121 finish on the bullseye along the way to set up a clash against Littler.
MVG out due to illness
Michael van Gerwen withdrew from Thursday’s Premier League action in Glasgow due to illness
Van Gerwen withdrew from Thursday night’s action due to illness.
The Dutchman had been hoping to continue his terrific start to the new season, after winning Night One in Newcastle before finishing runner-up to Price on Night Two in Antwerp.
However, the seven-time Premier League champion was ruled out of the show at the OVO Hydro due to a medical issue.
Van Gerwen’s scheduled quarter-final opponent, Littler, subsequently received a bye through to the semi-finals under tournament rules, taking two league points and +1 leg difference.
Van Gerwen receives no league points and -6 leg difference.
What’s happening on Night Four in Belfast?
Josh Rock headlines Premier League Night Four in Belfast
Rock will take centre stage in Belfast on February 26, with the Northern Irishman facing fellow Premier League newcomer Van Veen in a blockbuster tie at the SSE Arena.
Littler faces Clayton, with Bunting up against Humphries, while Van Gerwen will be aiming to return from his absence in Glasgow to take on Price in a must-watch quarter-final tie.
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 from February until May on Sky Sports. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW.
