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Highlights from the Scottish Premiership match between Hearts and Dundee.
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Tag: live
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Goal D Jota (79) Bournemouth 0 – 3 Liverpool
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Diogo Jota gets his second goal of the game to all but confirm the three points for Liverpool.
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‘Back with a bang!’ | Ivan Toney announces return with exquisite free-kick
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Ivan Toney announces his return by scoring a superb free-kick against Nottingham Forest.
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‘Oh my word!’ | Mohammed Kudus’ stunner gives Ghana lead over Egypt
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West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus scored with a sublime strike for Ghana to give the Black Stars the lead against Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
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Back Pages Tonight: Jordan Henderson hasn’t been paid a penny in Saudi Arabia
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On Back Pages Tonight, The Times’ chief sports reporter Martyn Ziegler discusses Jordan Henderson’s pay during his time in Saudi Arabia.
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Netflix’s live-action anime and manga adaptations, ranked
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With the recent international success of live-action adaptations of manga and anime like One Piece and Yu Yu Hakusho, Netflix finally seems to have made solid forward progress on a process that it has spent a few years on. Though some major franchises remain in development (no real news on that My Hero Academia movie yet aside from “production might have started”) the streaming service has amassed quite a list to run through if you’re interested.
Now, whether that interest is genuine or morbid is up to you. The live-action adaptations of anime and manga on Netflix were certainly not made equally. And while some creative choices make the series feel like fitting spiritual successors to the source material, others remain baffling or simply disappointing. Note that if an adaptation consists of more than one film, the sequels will be judged alongside the originals here.
13. Rurouni Kenshin, Rurouni Kenshin: The Final, Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning
Image: Warner Bros. Japan
The three Rurouni Kenshin films available on Netflix are fine. Director Keishi Otomo does his best to bring the thrilling (and often surprisingly violent) battles to life, and the results are admirable when not chopped up in intense, jumpy editing. The character development, particularly of the lead character, can’t escape comparisons to the source material. In the manga series, protagonist Himura Kenshin is a vibrant man of contradictions, capable of both immense destruction and charming affability, and actor Takeru Satoh does his best with it (it’s clear that he put a lot of work into sword fight training). But it too often feels like an impression of a character rather than a fully realized one.
While this is a more positive take than some you’ll read ahead, it’s hard to recommend any aspect of the franchise thanks to the actions of author Nobuhiro Watsuki. Getting little more than a slap on the wrist for being discovered with an immense amount of child pornography, Watsuki’s legacy (and the series which he is known for) is stained, and as such, these three films are impossible to wholeheartedly endorse.
12. Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead
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Photo: Masako Iwasaki/Netflix
The concept behind this manga series (what if the zombie apocalypse allowed you to quit your wage slave existence and live life the way you want?) is undeniably fun, but the Netflix series is never quite able to hone in on it. It doesn’t help that it debuted in the middle of the first season of the anime, a refreshing, colorful experience that, despite its various episode delays, took the energetic scope of the manga and ran with it. With two strong comparison pieces, the film becomes little more than a lighthearted exercise in Netflix covering its franchising bases. Watch this only if animation gives you hives or something.
11. Cowboy Bebop
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Photo: Geoffrey Short/Netflix
Likely the most infamous series on this list is Cowboy Bebop, an adaptation of the most widely praised anime of all time. In retrospect, it seems ill conceived to have put so much pressure on it to tap into the inimitable cool of director Shinichiro Watanabe’s masterpiece. The anime’s combination of noir aesthetics, space opera grandness, moody character work, and all that jazz makes it unfair to compare it to, well, most other works of fiction. Adapting Cowboy Bebop into live action was a big swing from the top of a high mountain, and sadly, it was a miss.
If it succeeds in anything, it’s the dedication of its cast, particularly the lead, John Cho. Given the unenviable task of trying to replicate a character whose mix of mystery and relatability only really works in animation, Cho is as adequate as any live-action performance of Spike Spiegel could be. The same goes for Mustafa Shakir as Jet Black, and though her quips have been reduced to mocking memes, Daniella Pineda’s Faye Valentine can be really fun when divorced from its connection to the anime. The rest, however, is a mess that does little more than fumble through Watanabe’s work.
10. Death Note
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Photo: James Dittiger/Netflix
Death Note is a weird case. On paper, it has elements that should work. The story is a thriller that seems easy to trim down into a shorter movie length. It’s not so fantastical as to leave one wondering, “Well, how are they gonna pull that off?” And it has Willem Dafoe voicing the death god Ryuk. Willem Dafoe! When assembled, though, none of it coalesces, and it falls apart instantly.
The decision to turn main character Light from the sociopathic deity wannabe of the manga into an angsty outsider meant that, in the mental duel between him and super detective L, there was really no one to root for. This decision takes the effortless drive of the manga and anime and renders it inert. Even when the titular murder journal falls into even more unscrupulous hands, the film is too dragged down to enter its “Oooh, maybe there will be a sequel…” resolution with any excitement. Better luck next time (probably).
9. Fullmetal Alchemist, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Revenge of Scar, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Final Alchemy
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Image: Netflix
There are a lot of great ways to enjoy Fullmetal Alchemist — its fantastic manga, its underrated 2003 anime, or its faithful anime reboot from 2009. The Netflix live-action trilogy doesn’t quite join that pedestal. It’s a fun time if you’ve read the manga previously, but there’s so much crammed in (particularly in the third film, where the glue and tape of editing the narrative down are most apparent) that it’s never clear why anything, outside of the two main brother characters, is important. It’s a trilogy of films, but it only manages to skim the surface of the series’ emotional depth and exquisite themes.
8. Kakegurui
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Image: Netflix
Kakegurui doesn’t have to make any big special effects or labyrinthine plotline leaps to work as a TV series. Instead, it mostly sticks to the manga and the joy of the chemistry of the three leads: teenagers in a private academy where status is determined by gambling. It’s an easy watch, though Netflix has yet to add the live-action film where the actors reprise their roles.
7. Bleach
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Image: Netflix
You can tell how old someone is by how they recommend Bleach. Older manga fans remember the dynamic, genre-bouncing early days, while those who came in later likely know it by how it fell into a swamp of storytelling tropes and incomprehensibility. Luckily, the live-action Bleach film harnesses a lot of the mythology when it was at its most potent before manga author Tite Kubo exhausted it. In fact, the film’s best quality is that it’s able to deftly build its world without feeling like it’s preparing the audience for a pop quiz after. Whereas a few of these adaptations, like the aforementioned Fullmetal Alchemist, approach the details of the manga in vague, bullet-point fashion, Bleach weaves them into its story, which uplifts a film that is otherwise middling in most respects.
6. The Ingenuity of the Househusband
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Image: Netflix
Disclaimer: The Ingenuity of the Househusband is not a direct adaptation of the delightful manga series The Way of the Househusband. You’ll have to watch the lackluster anime series for that. Instead, it’s a collection of shorts that show the husband, a former yakuza boss, dealing with various domestic duties, like making coffee or fixing a screen door. It’s cute and certainly doesn’t aim for the heights of anything else on this list. But playing it safe is its most appealing quality, and it serves as a pleasant side gig for fans of the manga (which you should read.)
5. Kingdom
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Image: Juhan Noh/Netflix
Kingdom, running at over two hours, is one of the most fun efforts of Shinsuke Sato (a director who, having helmed films like Gantz, I Am a Hero, and Bleach, is a go-to in the space). It’s also a noble attempt at tackling a manga/historical fiction series that, to date, runs 70 volumes. Very little of the emotional weight of the manga carries over, but Sato brings undeniable visual panache to the battle choreography and stunt work here. Kingdom is best when it’s pure spectacle, with sequences that even folks with no connection to the manga can enjoy. At one point, during a barrage of arrows, the camera lingers briefly on a man that dies from having been shot through the mouth by one. What’s not to like?
4. Alice in Borderland
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Image: Netflix
Directed by Shinsuke Sato (jeez, that man is everywhere), Alice in Borderland is a series that thrives whenever you don’t have to think too much about the “who” of it all. Character development is slim — the actors are mostly around to look tense and nervous in a Battle Royale-esque survival situation where they have to win “games” to survive. Even if new viewers might compare it to Squid Game but without all that pesky social commentary, Sato is very good at building stakes and making you grip the sides of your chair as you wonder who is going to get gruesomely murdered next.
3. From Me to You
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Image: Netflix
This live-action adaptation of a powerhouse shojo manga (Another “If you haven’t read it, go read it right now!” series) was never going to approach the charms of its source material. Karuho Shiina’s art, both quirky and engrossing as it expresses the blushing warmth of young love, would leave any live-action adaptation struggling to fit in. So From Me to You mostly works as a tribute to an irreplaceable series and, as such, does an exceptional job. It’s got cuteness to spare and the dedication of its lead performers carries it through any stumbles.
2. Yu Yu Hakusho
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Image: Netflix
Yu Yu Hakusho’s main offense is that it’s just too short. At only five episodes (which cover over 100 chapters of manga), there’s simply no time to get through everything. As such, events that would otherwise be big emotional moments (especially in the latter half, which is full of them) get little more than a shrug. However, the first half of the series is rather marvelous. The fight choreography in the opening battles is top-notch, and the way we get to know each of the four main beloved boys is appropriately awesome. It also handles the tonal shifts of the story well, jumping from genre to genre (horror to fantasy to martial arts to comedy) adeptly. And just as in the Yu Yu Hakusho manga and anime, co-lead Kuwabara shines through with his trademark masculine insecurity and swaggering pathos.
1. One Piece
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Image: Netflix
It’s weird to live in a world where we not only got a serviceable live-action One Piece adaptation, but one that’s good enough to adequately capture the spirit of the manga. Eiichiro Oda’s epic, 25-plus-year saga is such a testament to the power of manga art that trying to recreate it with flesh and blood, on first glance, looks like a dumbfounding proposition. But Netflix’s One Piece found a way.
This is mostly thanks to the enthusiasm of its cast, who are all able to capture the broad emotional swings of the characters without falling into parody, and what looks to be an every-penny-spent approach on set design. There are so many practical flourishes, from the exteriors of the ships and seaside towns to the interiors of locations like Kaya’s mansion and the Baratie floating restaurant, that it manages to feel less like an imitation of Oda’s world and more like its own entity. The commitment paid off: The astounding viewership of One Piece’s first season led Netflix to greenlight a season 2, one that, from the looks of things, will be a flagship (pun intended) addition to the service’s manga-to-live-action lineup.
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Daniel Dockery
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Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall nets Leicester opener | Bobby Thomas concedes clumsy penalty
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Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall converted a composed spotkick after Bobby Thomas had caught him in the penalty area with a reckless lunge.
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Graeme Swann reminisces on Nasser Hussain’s England captaincy | ‘He was like a Victorian villain!’
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Graeme Swann reflects on his early England days on the revamped Sky Sports Cricket podcast and describes Nasser Hussain as ‘being something from a comic’ when he was England captain!
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‘That’s the way to stoke a semi-final!’ | Hayden Hackney’s calm finish gives Middlesbrough lead
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Hayden Hackney puts Middlesbrough in front in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea.
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The Verdict: Erik Ten Hag plays down United’s lack of goals as they progress in FA Cup
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Anton Toloui delivers his verdict on Man Utd’s 2-0 win against Wigan in the FA Cup. Erik ten Hag was positive in his post-match press conference and played down any worries that his players are not scoring enough goals.
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The Verdict: Have Arsenal run out of ideas?
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Sky Sports’ Gary Cotterill and Ben Grounds analyse Arsenal’s worrying form under Mikel Arteta as they crashed out of the FA Cup in the third round to Liverpool after a 2-0 defeat.
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‘Don’t question my integrity’ – Ange Postecolgou responds to Eric Dier speculation
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Ange Postecoglou insists Eric Dier’s absence from the Tottenham squad was due to injury and not related to reports of a possible move to Bayern Munich.
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World Darts Championship: Luke Littler’s dreams ended by Luke Humphries in sensational final
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Luke Littler defeated 7-4 by world No 1 Luke Humphries in final; Premier League Darts returns to Sky Sports on Thursday February 1 as Cardiff kicks off the 17-week extravaganza all the way through to the Play-Offs on Thursday May 23 at London’s O2
By Raz Mirza at Alexandra Palace, London
Last Updated: 04/01/24 2:31am
Luke Littler’s World Darts Championship dreams were finally ended by world No 1 Luke Humphries in a sensational final at Alexandra Palace on Wednesday night.
Humphries fought back from 4-2 down to win five consecutive sets and claim his maiden world title 7-4 to make it four major victories in a row following his success at the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, and Players Championship Finals in recent months.
“I’ll draw a lot from this and this will be a moment that will never be forgotten,” Humphries told Sky Sports. “I don’t want to say that I’ve completed darts but everything that you want on the resume I’ve done now, so now it’s now about motivating yourself to do more and more.
Humphries said he couldn’t ask for more after claiming the World Darts Championship title Humphries said he couldn’t ask for more after claiming the World Darts Championship title
World Darts Championship Final
Luke Humphries 7-4 Luke Littler 
Luke Humphries hits the winning darts to defeat Luke Littler 7-4 in the World Darts Championship final Luke Humphries hits the winning darts to defeat Luke Littler 7-4 in the World Darts Championship final
Littler was pleased with his incredible run to the final, despite defeat to Humphries Littler was pleased with his incredible run to the final, despite defeat to Humphries
Humphries may have been the champion, but Littler received a hero’s reception at the end of the match and he is the story of the tournament.
Life will never be the same for Littler, who now has a global profile, as his exploits have transcended the world of darts.
He may have fallen just short of achieving sporting immortality, but this is just the beginning for Littler and his time will surely come, with many tipping him to become a multiple world champion
The 16-year-old from Warrington said: “It has been unbelievable. The one negative was I lost too many legs with my throw so Luke could break me.
“That was the only negative, I just couldn’t hold my own throw and I didn’t win. Every game has been good but that one has just really annoyed me, especially the three missed to keep it going.
“That’s what the crowd wanted but fair play to Luke, he deserves it.”
Humphries started the better by capitalising on a slow start from Littler to take the opening set 3-1 with a 99.2 average despite eight missed darts at doubles.
It didn’t take ‘The Nuke’ long to discover his best in the second set, coming from 2-1 down by producing two 12-dart legs with the aid of a spectacular 142 checkout and a ‘Shanghai’ 120 finish.
2011-12 – Luke Humphries wins £225 from 16 Development Tour events and soon after stops playing darts.
18 months later, a friend was a player short in his Super League team and Luke steps in to help out.
Wednesday night: Humphries wins the PDC World Championship and is world No 1.
Littler hit checkouts of 142 and 120 checkouts to win the second set Littler hit checkouts of 142 and 120 checkouts to win the second set
The third set also went the distance with ‘Cool Hand’ edging it from 2-0 down to regain the upper hand with a 116 checkout to take it, but the Warrington teenage sensation struck back to secure the fourth set 3-1 and restore parity with a 99 average and an impressive 47 per cent on the doubles.
It was 2-2 in sets and 9-9 in legs with nothing to separate the two players.
Littler took out this amazing 122 checkout to the despair of Humphries Littler took out this amazing 122 checkout to the despair of Humphries
For the first time in the match, the player who started the set won it after nine break of throws in 22 legs, with World Youth Champion Littler going ahead for the first time in the match before wrapping up the fifth set, averaging a ton.
The new world No 1 found himself under pressure here as Littler made it nine legs from the last 11 to open up a two-set advantage at 4-2.
Humphries reeled in his second 170 finish in a matter of days in a seventh set which was full of carnage.
Humphries took out ‘The Big Fish’ in the final Humphries took out ‘The Big Fish’ in the final
Littler responded with a third ton-plus finish of the final – a 122 checkout – which Wayne Mardle described as “spiteful, dirty, nasty!” in the commentary box, before Humphries survived a set dart with Littler missing a crucial double 2 for a 5-2 lead.
The three-time major winner immediately capitalised on double 14 to reduce the deficit.
Could this have been the moment that Littler’s grip on the World Championship title slipped away? Could this have been the moment that Littler’s grip on the World Championship title slipped away?
And Humphries piled in a classy 121 checkout on the bull to make it back-to-back sets to get back on level terms with a 114.17 set average, but it also coincided with Littler dropping off.
The 28-year-old Newbury thrower threw back-to-back 108 checkouts to lead 2-0 in the ninth set and although the teenager battled back to level up, a 180 to start the set and a 36 checkout enabled Humphries to win the leg and set in 11 darts.
Humphries also sunk this 121 checkout in a sensational final Humphries also sunk this 121 checkout in a sensational final
A relentless Humphries made it four sets on the spin as he took full control of the final to go within a set of the title, despite Littler reeling in a ‘Big Fish’ of his own.
However, it was ‘Cool Hand’ who got his hands on the Sid Waddell Trophy to become the 12th different PDC World Champion after pinning double 8 for the match and then sinking to his knees in pure joy.
Humphries pinned back-to-back 108 checkouts Humphries pinned back-to-back 108 checkouts
Talking about Littler, Humphries said: “I’m not just saying this because it will please everyone, but Luke has been an unbelievable talent.
“Not just about the dartboard, he has been fantastic with all the media that has come about with him and he took the defeat so well.
“He said go on and celebrate. You will never see another down-to-earth 16-year-old kid like him who is just something else.
“I really hope he’s in the Premier League because, if he don’t want to play in it fair enough, but I think he’d be a pleasure to play alongside this year.
“He’s one of the best players in the world, there is no doubt about that.”
Humphries’ 103.67 average is the highest ever recorded in a match of 45+ legs
His win included 23 180s and five 100+ checkouts
Littler nailed his own 170 checkout in an incredible final Littler nailed his own 170 checkout in an incredible final
Watch highlights of Humphries’ thrilling win over Littler in the World Championship final Watch highlights of Humphries’ thrilling win over Littler in the World Championship final
How the world of social media reacted to Humphries win…
Premier League Darts returns to Sky Sports on Thursday February 1 as Cardiff kicks off the 17-week extravaganza all the way through to the Play-Offs on Thursday May 23. Stream Sky Sports Darts without a contract through NOW
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Scottie Scheffler: World No 1 named PGA Tour Player of the Year for second consecutive season
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Scottie Scheffler has been voted PGA Tour player of the year over Masters champion Jon Rahm; a new season of golf begins on Thursday with The Sentry – live on Sky Sports Golf from 6pm on Thursday
Last Updated: 03/01/24 7:54pm
Scottie Scheffler explained that he was thankful and relieved to win the 2023 Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass but added he was very tired following the tournament
Scottie Scheffler explained that he was thankful and relieved to win the 2023 Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass but added he was very tired following the tournament
Scottie Scheffler has been named PGA Tour Player of the Year as he won the Jack Nicklaus Award for a second consecutive year.
Scheffler is the first player to win Player of the Year honours in back-to-back seasons since Tiger Woods won the award in three straight years from 2005-2007.
The 27-year-old won twice during the 2022-23 season, successfully defending his title at the WM Phoenix Open and winning The Players Championship by five strokes.
In 23 starts, Scheffler recorded 13 top-fives and 17 top-10s, both high marks for any player in a single season on the tour since 2005.
He also set the PGA Tour record for most Official Money earned in a single season at $21,014,342, breaking his own record set last season ($14,046,910).
The Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year awards are determined by a member vote, with PGA Tour members who played in at least 15 official FedExCup events during the 2022-23 season eligible to vote.
Scheffler received 38 per cent of the vote for the Jack Nicklaus Award and was selected over four other nominees: Wyndham Clark, Viktor Hovland, Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm.
Scottie Scheffler sunk a 20ft putt to win the 2023 Players Championship to return to the top of the world rankings Scottie Scheffler sunk a 20ft putt to win the 2023 Players Championship to return to the top of the world rankings
Eric Cole, the only rookie to advance to the 2023 BMW Championship, has been announced as the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, receiving the Arnold Palmer Award.
Cole recorded two runner-up finishes on the season, including the 2023 Cognizant Classic (lost in a play-off) and the 2023 Zozo Championship.
Cole received 51 per cent of the vote for the Arnold Palmer Award and was selected over three other nominees: Ludvig Åberg, Nico Echavarria and Vincent Norrman.
New season of golf begins on Thursday
The 2024 PGA Tour season begins with The Sentry from January 4-7, held on the Plantation Course at Kapalua, Hawaii – live on Sky Sports Golf with the first round starting at 6pm.
World No 1 Scheffler leads the field which includes Team Europe Ryder Cup stars Viktor Hovland, Matt Fitzpatrick, Ludvig Aberg, Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose.
Watch the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and all of the majors in 2024 exclusively live on Sky Sports. Stream the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – just £21 a month for six months.
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Rory McIlroy concedes ‘mistake’ in being ‘too judgemental’ of initial players who joined LIV Golf
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“I was probably judgemental of the guys that went at the start and I think that was a bit of a mistake on my part,” concedes Rory McIlroy; McIlroy hopes “this division” in golf ends soon amid continuing extended talks between established tours and Saudi’s PIF over framework agreement
Last Updated: 03/01/24 11:42am
Rory McIlroy has expressed regret at being “too judgemental” on the tranche of players who initially defected to LIV Golf.
McIlroy, who had been initially outspoken in his criticism of the players who joined the Saudi-funded series in 2022, admitted he “basically went through the last two years with this altruistic approach of looking at the world in the way I’ve wanted to see” but had now “accepted reality” and that LIV is “part of our sport now”.
“I was probably judgemental of the guys that went at the start and I think that was a bit of a mistake on my part because I now realise not everyone’s in my position or in Tiger [Woods]’ position,” McIlroy told the Stick to Football podcast with Sky Bet.
“You get this offer and what do you do?
“We all turned professional to make a living playing the sports that we do and I think that’s what I realised over the past two years, I can’t judge people for making that decision.
“So if I regret anything it was probably being too judgemental at the start.”
Asked how his relationship was with the players who had switched from the established tours, McIlroy replied: “Most things are cool, the one thing that has bothered me is I think we have all grown up and played on European Tour, PGA Tour and that has given us a platform to turn in to who we have and give us the profile.
Rory McIlroy say its ‘certainly strange’ not having Ryder Cup veterans Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter around and it’ll really hit them this week. Rory McIlroy say its ‘certainly strange’ not having Ryder Cup veterans Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter around and it’ll really hit them this week.
“So when people have played that for, say, 15 or 20 years and then they jump to LIV and then they just start talking cr** about where they’ve come from, that’s what bothers me because you wouldn’t be in this position if you didn’t have what you had coming up.”
McIlroy added: “I don’t begrudge anyone for going and taking that money and doing something different but don’t try and burn the place down on your way out.
“That’s sort of my attitude towards it because some people are happy playing in the existing structure, and that’s totally fine too. But I think it’s just created this division that hopefully will stop in the near future because I think it’s the best thing for golf.”
Relive Rory McIlroy’s two wins, which saw him claim a fifth Race to Dubai title, and his starring role in Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph. Relive Rory McIlroy’s two wins, which saw him claim a fifth Race to Dubai title, and his starring role in Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph.
The 34-year-old, a four-time major winner and current world No 2, said he had “never had an offer” from LIV to switch himself.
“I just didn’t engage,” he added. “At this point I’ve pretty much set my stall out.”
More to follow…
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Luke Littler admits it’s ‘beyond believable’ he has reached World Darts Championship final
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Luke Littler says he must “stay composed and try and get over that line” when he takes on Luke Humphries in the final; watch the World Darts Championship final at 7.30pm on Wednesday – live on Sky Sports Darts
By Raz Mirza at Alexandra Palace, London
Last Updated: 03/01/24 12:17am
Teenage sensation Luke Littler admits it’s “beyond believable” that he has reached the World Darts Championship final where he will face Luke Humphries.
Littler became the youngest player ever to reach the final when he defeated Rob Cross 6-2 with quite a bit to spare.
The 16-year-old, who is days away from his 17th birthday (Jan 21), now has a shot at claiming an historic place in the sport as he takes aim at the title at Alexandra Palace.
The best moments from Littler’s remarkable semi-final win over Rob Cross The best moments from Littler’s remarkable semi-final win over Rob Cross
Live World Darts Championship
January 3, 2024, 7:30pm
Live on
He is now on the cusp of producing one of the greatest sporting stories of all time, which would rival Emma Raducanu’s US Open win in 2021.
“It’s not even sunk in yet,” said Littler. “I threw big averages on the floor the past year and I’m happy to bring it on to the big stage.
“I’ve got to stay focused, be Luke Littler and relax. It’s beyond believable. I only set a goal of winning one game and coming back after Christmas and I’m still standing.
“I can’t imagine lifting the trophy. I have to just beat whoever is in front of me. I’ve got to stay mature, got to be myself and keep myself to myself.
“I’ve got to stay composed and try and get over that line.”
Luke Humphries booked his place in the final after whitewashing Scott Williams and he will now face teenager Littler Luke Humphries booked his place in the final after whitewashing Scott Williams and he will now face teenager Littler
Littler has knocked out two former World Champions in Raymond van Barneveld and Cross, and now he has he sights set on holding aloft The Sid Waddell Trophy when he faces the best player on planet darts in Humphries.
“I’ve just got to beat whoever is in front of me tomorrow. It’s not even sunk in yet,” he said. “This World Championship I’ve got nothing to lose, it’s just a free hit and here I am still standing. There’s no pressure, I just take everything in my stride.
“I’ve got to believe in myself, believe in my ability and so far, so good.”
Littler, who revealed he received pre-match messages from footballers Luke Shaw and Rio Ferdinand, only qualified for the tournament by winning the World Youth Championship in November and his fairy tale run has put the PDC under pressure to hand him a place in the forthcoming Premier League.
Humphries was in scary form after he hit six-ton-plus finishes in his semi-final win Humphries was in scary form after he hit six-ton-plus finishes in his semi-final win
Humphries delivered one of the best ever performances at the tournament as he whitewashed Michael van Gerwen’s conqueror Scott Williams 6-0.
“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 tonight, tomorrow is not going to faze him at all, so I will probably have to play the game of my life.
“I will probably have to play like that again to stand a chance of beating him.
“I know what’s in front of me and what the task is. I’ve got to play at my best tomorrow 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.”
John Cross from The Mirror and ESPN’s Mark Ogden discuss Littler’s remarkable journey and compare him to various sporting 16-year-olds such Wayne Rooney John Cross from The Mirror and ESPN’s Mark Ogden discuss Littler’s remarkable journey and compare him to various sporting 16-year-olds such Wayne Rooney
Humphries went fishing for ‘The Big Fish’ during his whitewash win in the semi-finals Humphries went fishing for ‘The Big Fish’ during his whitewash win in the semi-finals
Pundit Wayne Mardle admits Littler continues to perform beyond the highest level, calling his performances “magnificent”.
“He averages 106.05 in the biggest match of his life,” Mardle said. “The kid just takes it all in his stride. Absolutely magnificent.
“If you’re sat at home and witnessed that or are here, you’ve witnessed something utterly mind-boggling. A 16-year-old is in the final of the World Championship.”
Watch the World Darts Championship final at 7.30pm on January 3 – live on Sky Sports Darts. Stream Sky Sports Darts without a contract through NOW
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World Darts Championship: Michael van Gerwen suffers shock exit to Scott Williams in quarter-finals
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Michael van Gerwen was stunned by Scott Williams in the World Darts Championship quarter-finals
Michael van Gerwen’s hopes of a fourth World Darts Championship title were dashed in stunning fashion by Scott Williams at the quarter-final stage on New Year’s Day.
Williams pulled off a sensational 5-3 scalp of Van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace, punishing 27 missed darts at doubles from the three-time champion to set up a meeting with Luke Humphries.
World Darts Championship: New Year’s Day Evening Results
Michael van Gerwen 3-5 Scott Williams Luke Humphries 5-1 Dave Chisnall Rob Cross, only former PDC world champion left and in the semi-finals for the first time since winning the title on debut
Luke Littler, 16 years old, in the semi-finals on his debut
Scott Williams in his first major semi-final
Luke Humphries, the pre-tournament favourite, into his first Ally Pally semi-final
Seasonal prize money prior to the World Championship: £32,750
Minimum prize money at the World Championship: £100,000
Scott Williams is in to the semi-finals and the world’s top 32
Scott Williams produced one of the biggest shocks in World Darts Championship history by beating Michael van Gerwen in the quarter-finals Scott Williams produced one of the biggest shocks in World Darts Championship history by beating Michael van Gerwen in the quarter-finals
Williams came charging out of the blocks by winning the opening set in straight legs, but ‘Mighty Mike’ took out 81 for back-to-back 11-darters to close out the second set 3-1 with a set average of 116.71 despite missing 12 darts at double.
Van Gerwen took out a magnificent 121 checkout before pinning double 16 to seize the initiative in the third set.
Van Gerwen hits this magnificent 121 finish during his quarter-final clash against Williams Van Gerwen hits this magnificent 121 finish during his quarter-final clash against Williams
However, the Dutchman threw in a stinker of a set, averaging just 78, and Williams railroaded it 3-0 to get back on level terms at 2-2.
Van Gerwen appeared to have fallen off a cliff when Lincolnshire showman Williams made it six legs on the spin to lead 3-2, but the three-time World Champion soon restored parity in three consecutive legs to stop the rot.
‘Shaggy’ punished more crucial mistakes from the world No 2 to seal the seventh set 3-1 and go within one of a sensational victory before taking the eighth 3-1 to secure a last-four meeting with either Luke Humphries or Dave Chisnall.
Williams said he probably should have beaten Van Gerwen a bit easier after knocking out the pre-tournament favourite Williams said he probably should have beaten Van Gerwen a bit easier after knocking out the pre-tournament favourite
“I just knocked the best player in the world out,” Williams told Sky Sports.
“He wasn’t the Michael van Gerwen we’ve seen over the last couple of games but that’s not my problem.
“I hit the doubles and probably should have won it a little bit easier. I’m absolutely loving it up there. I love a crowd.”
Wayne Wardle was surprised at how ‘erratic’ Van Gerwen was during his loss Wayne Wardle was surprised at how ‘erratic’ Van Gerwen was during his loss
Wayne Mardle called Williams’ win a “massive shock”, but also admitted he did a “number” on the Dutch ace.
“Michael van Gerwen normally loses to someone who is a big hitter already, a world champion or a major champion,” ‘Hawaii 501’ said.
“Scott Williams did a number on him. He was there to clean up when he had to clean up and he held it together so well.
“Even Luke Littler and Rob Cross are giving it… ‘WHAT!?’ What an opportunity for everyone left in the tournament.”
Michael van Gerwen missed 30 doubles in his first three games. He missed 27 against Scott Williams
52.4 per cent (33/63) – First 3 games
29.0 per cent (11/38) – vs Williams
Luke Humphries made it through to the semi-finals with this magical 117 checkout Luke Humphries made it through to the semi-finals with this magical 117 checkout
Williams will take on Humphries in the semi-finals after ‘Cool Hand’ thrashed Dave Chisnall 5-1 with a 103.50 average, a dozen 180s, 40 per cent on the doubles and a high checkout of 164.
The World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and Players Championship winner made it 17 victories in a row to break new ground at Ally Pally.
“It felt strange to be the frontrunner for once,” said Humphries. “I have been used to a lot of comebacks for the last few days and it has just been nice to be me.
“It was nice to be in front and keep pushing hard and I didn’t relent. Chizzy played really well, he made it really tough for me.
“I haven’t been myself in the first couple of games. Tonight, we saw the form I have been showing in the last few majors.
“I played as well as I needed to.”
Humphries thinks the Worlds is wide open after Van Gerwen’s exit to Williams Humphries thinks the Worlds is wide open after Van Gerwen’s exit to Williams
How Littler set up Cross semi-final…
A look back the best of the action from the afternoon session of the World Darts Championship quarter-finals A look back the best of the action from the afternoon session of the World Darts Championship quarter-finals
World Darts Championship: New Year’s Day Afternoon Results
Rob Cross 5-4 Chris Dobey Luke Littler 5-1 Brendan Dolan In the afternoon, Luke Littler’s amazing Alexandra Palace journey continued after he became the youngest semi-finalist ever after he beat Brendan Dolan 5-1 in the quarter-final.
‘The History Maker’ Dolan had beaten former World Champions Gerwyn Price and Gary Anderson but could not compete with Littler, who finished with an average of 101.93 to thrill his adoring fans inside Ally Pally.
All the best moments from Luke Littler in his quarter-final clash against Brendon Dolan All the best moments from Luke Littler in his quarter-final clash against Brendon Dolan
“It feels unbelievable. I would never have thought I would have got to the semis on my debut year,” he said.
“Brendan was just another opponent in my way and I have brushed him aside and now I am into the semi-final.
“It’s going to take a lot to stop me, based on my performances so far. But it is about whatever Luke Littler turns up.
“I have got the ability to go all the way, if it’s not to be tomorrow night, it’s not to be.
“I know I have got a good chance and I have got a good feeling I could go all the way tomorrow.”
Littler believes he is one of the best in the game at board management and he’s thinking about lifting the title Littler believes he is one of the best in the game at board management and he’s thinking about lifting the title
He will meet Rob Cross for a spot in the final after ‘Voltage’ looked dead and buried when he was 4-0 down after barely 45 minutes as Chris Dobey played one of the matches of his life.
However, the off-stage break worked wonders for Cross as the former electrician sparked into life.
He reeled off four sets of his own and then took out 130 to seal a remarkable win but he will have to improve if he is stop the Littler train.
“Everyone loves an underdog story,” he said. “As the public and people looking at the game, everyone loves an underdog story.
“I am not being rude, I am on his side, I love an underdog story.
“It took a bit of pressure off me winning it first time as well.
“He’s fantastic and he deserves all the luck in the world, he is a nice young boy. Tomorrow we play darts, though, and I have to go down to business.”
Cross came back from 4-0 down to Chris Dobey to complete a ‘darting miracle!’ Cross came back from 4-0 down to Chris Dobey to complete a ‘darting miracle!’
The teenager was taking selfies after beating Brendan Dolan The teenager was taking selfies after beating Brendan Dolan
What’s happening on semi-finals night at the World Darts Championship?
Luke Littler returns to the Ally Pally stage when he aims for a spot in the World Championship final
Littler will take on 2018 winner Cross in the first semi-final having already proven he is ready to compete on the biggest stage after taking out UK Open winner Andrew Gilding and his hero Raymond van Barneveld on his way to the last eight and he maintained that form against Dolan on New Year’s Day.
Cross produced one of the most memorable Alexandra Palace comebacks having gone 4-0 to Chris Dobey before reeling off four sets of his own and then taking out 130 to seal a famous win.
Live World Darts Championship
January 1, 2024, 7:00pm
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Luke Humphries will face Scott Williams in the second semi-final on Tuesday
Having knocked out three-time World Champion Michael van Gerwen, ‘Shaggy’ Scott Williams will take on ‘Cool Hand’ Luke Humphries as he continues his quest for a maiden Ally Pally title.
Humphries came into the tournament as the favourite after winning three of the last four majors but had endured a bumpy ride to the last eight, surviving a sudden death leg against Joe Cullen in the last round.
But he was back to his best in his quarter-final, dispatching Dave Chisnall 5-1.
The sport’s biggest event sees the remaining players compete for the Sid Waddell Trophy and £2.5m in prize money at Alexandra Palace. You can watch all the action live on our dedicated Sky Sports Darts channel.
Watch the World Darts Championship all the way until the final on January 3, 2024 – live on Sky Sports Darts. Stream Sky Sports Darts without a contract through NOW
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