Luke Littler vs Luke Humphries LIVE: Teenage sensation slips to defeat in World Darts Championship final

1) Wayne Rooney – 16 years old

Though his breakthrough moment undoubtedly came when he scored past David Seaman from 30 yards in October 2002 to end champions Arsenal’s 30-game unbeaten Premier League run, Rooney had actually made his senior Everton debut two months earlier against Tottenham, setting up a goal for Mark Pembridge in a 2-2 draw.

England’s Euro 2004 opener against France in Portugal shot him to international stardom before he signed for Manchester United later that summer, going on to become all-time top scorer for both United (253) and for England (53), though his international tally has since been surpassed by Harry Kane.

A six-year-old boy hoping to follow in the footsteps of darts star Luke Littler hit a bullseye when he appeared on This Morning on Wednesday (3 January).

Little Lucas, who practices darts daily with dreams of reaching the world championships, took on presenter Josie Gibson in a game of darts.

The six-year-old stunned Josie and co-presenter Rylan Clark when he hit a bullseye with his first dart throw.

Luke Humphries used to tire in the latter rounds of tournaments, until he put himself on a strict fitness regime to transform himself into a leaner, more energetic player.

He is now one of the few players at the top of the circuit who looks more like a footballer or a tennis player than a darts champion in waiting.

He recently told Sky Sports: “I think that being fitter and healthier helps with longer days and it is no coincidence that I never used to be able to get to those quarter finals, semi-finals because I would run out of energy.

“The European Tour finals, they are the longest possible days you could imagine and I am doing them at a canter now and I could probably go three more games after the final.

“So losing the weight is a key part of where I am now because I don’t think I would be where I am now as the unfit and unhealthy version of me. It is another piece of the puzzle to make me where I am now.”

The world is talking about Luke Littler, the 16-year-old darts prodigy who has smashed his way to final of the the World Darts Championship. But there is still one man standing his way, one last boss to defeat: the new world No 1, Luke Humphries.

Humphries was among the favourites coming into the tournament after a stellar year which included three titles – the World Grand Prix, the Players Championship Finals and the Grand Slam of Darts – along with a big rise up the rankings, and it is his run to this final that will ensure he jumps to the top after the tournament, whatever the outcome.

Nicknamed ‘Cool Hand Luke’ – a riff on the 1967 prison-drama film of the same name – Humphries is a calm, understated figure, which has led to accusations from some quarters that he lacks the domineering personality to take over the darts world.

Humphries struggled with anxiety attacks on stage, which is partly why he is only now, aged 28, enjoying a breakout year at the elite level. Such was his torment that he almost quit darts entirely.

Can he rise above his past struggles to win the world title and end the most fantastic of years in the best way possible?

Tonight’s final should be a cracker and the tournament stats prove that there is very little to separate the two players.

Luke Littler averages over 100 more often but Luke Humphries average in the semi-final was the highest of the two finalists throughout the competition.

Both men have hit 50 180s and checked out over 100 11 times. Here’s how they compare to one another:

Luke Littler

Tournament average - 103

100+ match averages - 4

Highest average - 106.12 (Round 1)

Lowest average - 92.65 (Round 2)

Tournament 180s - 50

Checkout percentage - 44.68% (84/188)

100+ checkouts - 11

Highest checkout - 164

Luke Humphries

Tournament average - 101

100+ match averages - 2

Highest average - 108.74 (Semi-final)

Lowest average - 91.38 (Round 2)

Tournament 180s - 50

Checkout percentage - 40.62% (78/192)

100+ checkouts - 11

Highest checkout - 170

Luke Humphries isn’t expecting the occasion to get to his opponent, either. “The way he’s played, I’ve seen it many times,” Humphries said of Littler. “When you come up on this stage it can be a lot tougher but he’s just proved he’s got a lot of bottle. Nothing is going to faze him. If he plays like he did [in the semi-final], it is not going to faze him at all, so I will probably have to play the game of my life.

“I know what’s in front of me and what the task is. I’ve got to play at my best but I’m hoping I make him play his best as well and we give the fans hopefully one of the best world finals we have ever seen.”

Luke Littler has said that remaining himself will be key if he is to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy this evening.

Littler hit 16 maximums in his semi-final win over Rob Cross and has surpassed his own expectations at Ally Pally, but insists he won’t let the pressure get to him tonight.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” the 16-year-old said after securing victory against Cross. “I’ve thrown big averages on the floor all year round, but I’m so happy to have brought that form up on to the biggest stage of them all. “It would be unbelievable to win this title. I set myself the target to win one game and be back after Christmas, and I’m still here! “I can’t even imagine lifting that trophy yet though. I’ve just got to stay focused, relax and be Luke Littler.”

For many, the World Darts Championship is a highlight of the festive season. At the start of this year’s edition, The Independent’s Jamie Braidwood went along to find out what all the fuss is about.

Teenage star Luke Littler will stick with his diet of cheese and ham omelettes and pizza as he tries to complete his history-making World Championship dream.

The 16-year-old debutant continued his amazing Alexandra Palace journey by becoming the youngest-ever finalist when he destroyed 2018 champion Rob Cross in the semi-final. He is now on the cusp of producing one of the greatest sporting stories of all time, with new world No 1 Luke Humphries standing in his way.

Littler has made history with some unconventional preparations, with his love of kebabs also a theme of his run to the final, but it is working for him.

Luke Humphries was in superb touch in his semi-final win over Scott Williams, averaging 108.76 to whitewash his opponent. Only three men have averaged more in a World Championship quarter-final, semi-final or final encounter: Phil Taylor (twice), Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld. Handy company.

“This is a massive, massive moment for me,” Humphries said after his victory. “I think it’s probably one of the best performances I’ve ever produced on the big stage. I just hope it didn’t come one game too early.

“I needed to put in a statement performance because Luke was fantastic. Every aspect of my game was as I wanted it to be, and it’s such a special moment.

“Becoming world number one is something you can only dream of as a kid, but tomorrow would stay with me forever if I become World Champion, so my mind is fully focused on that.”