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World Darts Championship LIVE: Latest updates as Luke Littler demolishes Raymond van Barneveld in last-16

The 56-year-old Dutchman crashed out as the 16-year-old Englishman won 4-1

Michael Jones
Saturday 30 December 2023 19:32 EST
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Teenage darts sensation Luke Littler admits he has ‘nothing to lose’ in historic run

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Teenage sensation Luke Littler continued his historic World Darts Championship journey by downing hero Raymond van Barneveld to reach the quarter-finals.

The 16-year-old has set the Alexandra Palace tournament alight on debut and is the youngest player ever to reach the last eight after a stunning 4-1 win. He showed maturity and talent way beyond his tender years to get past the five-time world champion, who he used to imitate in front of the television as a three-year-old.

Luke Humphries then clinched a classic that came down to a sudden death leg against Joe Cullen. Both men had darts at winning the match but it has the world number three who managed to get through to the quarter-finals.

Brendan Dolan also beat his second former world champion in three days when he ousted Gary Anderson 4-3. The Northern Irishman, who dumped out Gerwyn Price in the third round, was heading out as Anderson rallied from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 but he fought back to claim the final two sets and reach the last eight.

Relive all the action from the World Darts Championship below:

World Darts Championship LIVE

Luke Humphries 2-2 (0-1) Joe Cullen

Joe Cullen will try to unsettle the world number three as he starts off the fifth set. He cleans up 61, after hitting his seventh 180 of the match, and holds throw with a dominant display.

Mike Jones30 December 2023 23:16

World Darts Championship LIVE

Luke Humphries 2-2 (0-0) Joe Cullen

A maximum of three sets left to play in this match. Luke Humphries has fought back from two sets down and now must break Joe Cullen’s throw to give himself a chance of winning the match.

Can he do it in the fifth?

Mike Jones30 December 2023 23:12

World Darts Championship LIVE

Luke Humphries 2-2 (0-0) Joe Cullen

Cullen may be reeling a bit after messing up the last leg. Humphries starts with two 140s and a 180 to leave 41 to win the set. He hits 9 then misses double 16 twice!

Cullen leaves himself on 24 and Humphries can’t misses double 8. He doesn’t!

The match is level again.

Mike Jones30 December 2023 23:10

World Darts Championship LIVE

Luke Humphries 1-2 (2-2) Joe Cullen

That is good. Luke Humphries needs a maximum from 301 and hits it. Cullen flinches and only leaves a finish of 138. He doesn’t take it and Humphries punishes him by hitting double 14 to force a deciding leg.

Mike Jones30 December 2023 23:08

World Darts Championship LIVE

Luke Humphries 1-2 (1-2) Joe Cullen

A big 140 from Humphries leaves a finish of 109 but Cullen’s response is a maximum 180 to leave 49. Humphries misses out on the three figure finish and Cullen nails double 16 to break throw and move within one of taking the set.

Mike Jones30 December 2023 23:06

World Darts Championship LIVE

Luke Humphries 1-2 (1-1) Joe Cullen

Two darts are a finish for Cullen go begging as he misses double 12 and then double 6. Humphries can’t punish him from 120 and Cullen’s next visit sees him take out double 6 to level the set.

Mike Jones30 December 2023 23:04

World Darts Championship LIVE

Luke Humphries 1-2 (1-0) Joe Cullen

Humphries is short of double 20 but Cullen misses his shot at double 16 and he’s made to pay. Humphries holds throw and edges ahead.

This is a good battle as mistakes are being made from both sides.

Mike Jones30 December 2023 23:03

World Darts Championship LIVE

Luke Humphries 1-2 (0-0) Joe Cullen

There it is! Some superb scoring leaves Humphries with 88 and he takes it out without too much trouble. He’s now got the darts for this fourth leg and a win here may destabilise Cullen.

Mike Jones30 December 2023 23:02

World Darts Championship LIVE

Luke Humphries 0-2 (2-1) Joe Cullen

Humphries is lining things up brilliantly now. He forces his way in front and must hit 78 with Cullen left on 44. He his 18, then 20 and leaves one shot at double tops.

It lands!

Humphries is throwing for the set.

Mike Jones30 December 2023 23:00

World Darts Championship LIVE

Luke Humphries 0-2 (1-1) Joe Cullen

Another 180 for Cullen gives him control of the next leg and he leaves 54 after nine darts. He gets it this time and brings the third set back on level terms.

Perfect response.

Mike Jones30 December 2023 22:58

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