Michael van Gerwen earned a classic 6-5 win over 18-year-old world champion Luke Littler on the first night of the Premier League of Darts in Belfast.

Littler had overslept during a morning nap and kept Van Gerwen and the six other competitors waiting at the media launch of the new campaign, which kicks off at the SSE Arena on T

Luke Littler has congratulated Michael van Gerwen after the 18-year-old lost to the Dutchman on the first night of the Premier League Darts on Thursday. The teenager had entered the showdown hoping to lay down a marker as he looks to win the competition for the second year on the trot.