Luke Littler looks vulnerable for the very first time

He has, almost single-handedly, helped make darts the sport that it is today. Certainly, it's no longer considered just a game played down the pub. It's growing, evolving, which each passing year with its power boy playing a significant role in that.

But Littler, so far in the 2026 Premier League campaign, is now looking vulnerable for the very first time.

His rivals seem to have upped their game, with Clayton, Gerwyn Price and Michael van Gerwen all securing nightly victories.

Littler, however, is yet to win a match in the competition so far.

His campaign started with a defeat to Van Veen, who proceeded to make the final before missing out on glory to compatriot Van Gerwen.

Last week, in Antwerp, Littler confessed that he was feeling under the weather beforehand with a bout of flu hampering him.

The teenager still managed to overcome Luke Humphries, with the duo meeting 28 times in the space of two years.

But he then crashed to defeat to Van Gerwen, with the Dutchman unable to make it two wins on the trot with Price overcomig him in Antwerp.

Last night, with Littler fit once more, supporters in Glasgow were expecting him to produce his usual magic. So brilliant has the 19-year-old been that victories are seen as guarantees, rather than possibilities, these days.

He was afforded a bye into the semi-finals after Van Gerwen withdrew, with the 36-year-old suffering from illness himself.

But Littler was then blown away by Clayton, who won their contest 6-1 on his way to the nightly crown.

It means that, with three evenings gone, Littler sits lowly sixth in the standings with just four points to his name.

His nemesis, Humphries, has the same amount - while Price, Van Veen, Gian van Veen and Jonny Clayton occupy the top four positions.

It is something that seemed unfeasible just weeks ago when Littler swept all of his opponents away by retaining his World Darts Championship trophy at Alexandra Palace.

With his rivals sensing blood, the prodigious teenager is now in trouble for the very first time.

Meanwhile, Sky Sports' Wayne Mardle believes there's pressure on Littler following his loss to Clayton.

"I didn't think I'd be saying it so soon, that there's a tiny bit of pressure on Luke Littler," he said.

He added: "It's not working for him, it's not going his way."