Michael van Gerwen says Luke Littler ‘has to chase me nonetheless’ after ending shedding run in Premier League Darts | Darts Information

Michael van Gerwen insisted Luke Littler nonetheless “has to chase me” after he reignited his Premier League Darts marketing campaign with victory over the 17-year-old to win Week 11 in Birmingham.

After claiming three consecutive night time wins from week two to week 4 initially of the brand new season, Van Gerwen received just one match throughout the subsequent six weeks – a run which included three defeats to Littler.

However the seven-time Premier League Darts champion hit again on Thursday in a 6-3 closing triumph to disclaim Littler a record-equalling third night time win in succession.

Littler nonetheless leads the desk on 26 factors, two away from Luke Humphries and 4 forward of Van Gerwen, earlier than subsequent week’s occasion on ‘The Inexperienced Machine’s’ residence soil in Rotterdam.

Requested the way it felt to be chasing Littler on the high of the desk, Van Gerwen replied: “I haven’t got to chase anybody. He has to chase me nonetheless.

“I am about 150 tournaments in entrance of him, so good luck to him.”

Van Gerwen was additionally requested after the match what he fabricated from Littler’s inclusion in Forbes’ Beneath 30 Europe Class of 2024 record after {the teenager}’s headline-grabbing begin to life on the skilled PDC darts circuit.

“What he did and what he created for the game of darts I believe is phenomenal, however take it straightforward,” stated three-time world champion.

“With all of the respect, he performed c**p tonight and I beat him with a c**p sport that is the fact of the second.

“I am proud of that, we have to transfer on to the subsequent one.”

Van Gerwen additionally performed down his latest shedding run to {the teenager} having been defeated within the quarter-finals on Night time Seven in Nottingham (6-2), the semi-finals on Night time 9 in Belfast (6-3), after which once more within the quarters eventually week’s Night time 10 in Manchester (6-3).

“That is going to occur on this Premier League,” stated van Gerwen. “We’re going to play one another so usually, you’ll lose two occasions, then you are going to win two occasions, that is the way in which it’s.

“However the previous few occasions he performed me he performed poorly, and I may I believe have received just a few extra video games towards him.

“However when you do not you’ll be able to solely blame your self after which you should be sure you do carry out on the proper second, and I believe I did tonight. Even when I did not play my ‘B’ sport, in all probability performed by ‘C’ or ‘D’ sport, I nonetheless did okay.

MVG: I did not lose confidence in my sport

Having threatened to dominate the 2024 Premier League Darts marketing campaign through which he chases a record-extending eighth title along with his early hat-trick of nightly wins, Van Gerwen’s subsequent hunch brought about alarm amongst observers.

The Dutchman says whereas he didn’t lose religion in his sport, he additionally wanted to show that was finally the case on the oche.

“I by no means doubt myself however you continue to have to point out it,” he stated.

“I am in all probability have extra confidence than anybody on this constructing however however you must present it, so you’ll be able to say no matter you need however you must present it on stage.”

He added: “Shedding is at all times disappointing for me so to bounce again with a win is at all times good. You must maintain battling. You do not get something with no consideration so you must work for it on a regular basis.”

Van Gerwen stated he was now wanting ahead to enjoying in entrance of his residence crowd subsequent Thursday night time, stay on Sky Sports activities, the place he can turn into the primary participant to win 5 nights in the identical Premier League Darts season.

“Dwelling soil’s good with the group behind you however it additionally places further stress in your shoulders,” he added.

“I solely play just a few occasions a yr in entrance of my own residence crowd in order that additionally brings some further stress however that is the way in which how you have to cope with that scenario. I would like to ensure I maintain my focus. I’ll have some exhibitions this weekend to ensure I really feel good after which on to subsequent week.”

Mardle: I did not assume Van Gerwen would win

Sky Sports activities’ Wayne Mardle after the ultimate:

“If I am trustworthy I did not assume he [Van Gerwen] would win, however who would foresee Littler enjoying that badly.

“It has been an excellent arduous graft, an actual exercise, however it’s his fourth nightly win.

“He isn’t been on it however he is performed properly on the actual proper moments. He is managed to recover from the road.”

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