PDC World Championship final as it happened: Humphries topples Littler

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PDC World Championship final as it happened: Humphries topples Littler

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Luke Humphries won PDC World Championship after beating Luke Littler
Luke Humphries won PDC World Championship after beating Luke LittlerAFP
Teenager Luke Littler's fairytale run in the PDC World Championship came to an end during Wednesday night's final at Alexandra Palace after the Nuke lost 7-4 in sets to Cool Hand Luke Humphries.

Humphries - now the world number one - has added darts' ultimate prize to the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and Players Championship Finals titles he's already picked up in the past few months.

In a topsy-turvy affair, it was Cool Hand Luke who toppled the teenage sensation Littler in an epic night of darts that drew more attention than ever before in the competition's history.

Catch up on the action as it happened below and read the reaction to Humphries' win here.

Luke Littler (164) 4-7 Luke Humphries (3)

Littler steps up to the oche to throw first in the opening leg of set one.

Littler leaves 40 as Humphries narrowly misses a 120 checkout in three darts. Littler pins tops to take the first leg.

Humphries hits the first 180 of the match in the second leg but misses taking 47. Two darts at double 8 levels the scores 1-1 in legs. 

The third leg sees a few treble-less visits from Littler, but both end on a Shanghai finish. Humphries misses for the break, Littler misses for the hold. Humphries takes out double 5 for a break of throw.

Littler hits his first 180 but it's too late as Humphries finally takes out double 8 to take the first set: 1-0 in sets and a rapid, high-scoring start from Cool Hand.

Humphries throws first in the second set.

Humphries storms to a 49 finish via double 16, with Littler nowhere near. 

Humphries narrowly misses a checkout but he comes back for double 2, five legs on the spin and a break for Cool Hand.

Littler finds his feet

Littler comes to attack and leaves 106, but he misses tops. Humphries misses tops, Littler takes out double 15: 2-1 in legs in the second set. A break for him and a set dart missed for Humphries.

Littler takes out 142 to level it with a phenomenal double 11: 2-2. The deciding leg has Humphries with the darts, Littler is finding his trebles now. He leaves 120 for the set which he pins on tops with no missed darts: 1-1 in sets.

Littler with the darts in the third set. He leaves 80 which he takes out via tops, Littler leads the tie.

Humphries looking far less comfortable right now. Three great darts leave Littler with darts to steal, which he nails in one throw. He's now 2-0 up in the set. Five in a row.

Littler misses double 10 - for once - to miss his hold, Humphries takes out double 8 to break: 2-1 in legs.

Humphries back in control

Humphries leaves 116 and he takes out double 18 to level the set at 2-2.

Littler with the darts but Humphries picks up another maximum to apply pressure, Littler has a bouncer, and Humphries misses bull for the set. 

Littler can't take out 131, Humphries takes out double 8 to steal the leg and set. It's 2-1 to the world number one.

Littler applies pressure to break in the first leg of set four, leaving double 20, which he eventually pins via double 10. A break and 1-0 in legs.

The Nuke can't take out 126 but Humphries can't capitalise. With 72, Littler misses tops. Cool Hand misses the bull to let Littler back in, he pins tops and makes it 2-0 in the fourth set.

Humphries saves the set in the next via tops to make it 2-1, but Littler starts the next with a 180.

Desmonds at Ally Pally

Littler misses twice on double 15 for the set, Humphries can't take advantage, so Littler comes back and finally wins the set via double 4. All square again at 2-2 in sets!

The fifth set kicks off with a 180 from Littler. He leaves 130 but just misses the double 8. No finish for Humphries so he comes back to take out the double 8: 1-0 in legs to Littler.

Humphries starts with a 180 of his own in the next leg and nearly hits another.  He races to a 60 finish which he takes comfortably to make it 1-1.

Littler leaves 16 with darts to spare, but Littler misses the double 8. Humphries misses two on double 20, Littler eventually takes the leg for the hold: 2-1. Missed chance from Humphries.

Littler keeps the pressure on

A tenth maximum for Humphries in the fourth leg but then drops a poor 43. Littler responds with a 180 to apply huge pressure.

Double 16 is found with ease to break Humphries and take a 3-2 lead in sets.

Going into the sixth set, Littler is averaging 100 while Humphries is just shy of 102, so very even. The youngster has thrown seven 180s while Humphries has pinned 10.

Humphries has the darts. Littler starts with four perfect darts. He's in line for a 10-darter but misses double 8 three times. Humphries has no finish though, and Littler returns to take out double 4. Littler breaks to make it 1-0 in legs.

Both players start with 180s. Humphries throws another to set up a 9-darter, but he misses it. Littler narrowly misses taking out the bull on 170.

Humphries can't take out 76, Littler does take out 25 to hold. It's 2-0 in legs.

Humphries knocks two of his darts out in his third throw - shocker! Littler just misses a 136 checkout, missing double 8.

Humphries misses double 5, Littler lands the double 8 with his last dart to take a 4-2 lead in sets.

Humphries struggling?

Littler has the darts again and is in control of this final.

Humphries needs a break and takes out the big fish, a huge 170 checkout to go 1-0 in the set.

He starts the next leg with a 180 but misses double 2 to hold. Littler takes out 84 to break straight back: 1-1.

Humphries takes the 900th 180 of the tournament in the next leg and leaves 71 to break but bodges it. Littler just misses the bull to hold, and Humphries finally takes the break of throw via tops: 2-1 in legs.

Humphries has the darts for the set but Littler finds another ton-plus finish in 12 darts to break yet again to make it 2-2. He's now throwing for the set himself!

Record 180s

Humphries matches the tournament record with the 901st 180, Littler needs a double 2 for the set but he misses after a pause. 

Humphries takes out double 14 for another break to take the set. It's 4-3 in sets to Littler.

Humphries starts set eight strongly and holds the first leg via double 16.

Littler leaves a big fish in the next leg but it doesn't go, allowing Humphries to take out 41 via double 16 in 11 darts to break: 2-0 to Humphries in legs.

Humphries can't take out 170 for the set, Littler just misses taking out 121. Humphries misses his own on 74. Littler pins double 8 to take another break of throw and his first leg of the set: 2-1.

Humphries pins the bullseye to take out 121 to level the match again in sets: 4-4! 

Game on for the Lukes

Going into set nine, Littler throws first.

Littler leaves 64 but misses tops. Humphries takes out 108 via double 16 to break emphatically.

Humphries then bangs in his 18th 180 of the night in the next leg. Littler sets up a 40 finish, but Humphries pulls out an identical 108 finish to hold: 2-0 in legs to Cool Hand Luke.

Back-to-back 180s in the third leg but Humphries keeps Littler under pressure. He misses double 6 to open the door for Humphries, but he misses. Double 3 for Littler to hold, he misses twice but hits with the third. It's 2-1 in the set.

Humphries is throwing for the set and leaves 144. He doesn't take it but Littler can't take out 170. It's 16 for the set, Humphries misses double 8, 4 and 2. Littler goes to his favourite double 10 to steal the leg and level the set at 2-2.

Littler is now throwing for the set but Humphries kicks off with another 180 - his 20th tonight!

Littler leaves 170 but misses his second treble. Humphries takes out 36 to bag his third consecutive set. It's 5-4 to Humphries.

Back-and-forth contest

Littler misses 165, Humphries takes out double 16 to pick up the first leg of the 10th set.

Littler leaves another 170 in the second leg and this time he grabs the big fish! It's 1-1 in legs.

In his leg, Humphries presses quickly to leave 80. Littler has no answer. Humphries misses his bull, Littler just misses bull on 124. Humphries comes back to take out double 8 and grab the leg: 2-1 in the set.

Littler up first in the fourth leg. Another 180 for Humphries. Five perfect darts in the end. Littler struggling to hold here to save the set.

Humphries leaves 36 with Littler nowhere near, despite a 180. Humphries takes the set with his third dart: It's 6-4 to Humphries. Littler needs to win each remaining one now.

Humphries in touching distance

Littler throws first and needs to dig deep to save this final.

Littler leaves 74 but can't take out tops. Humphries can't take out 146, so Littler returns and pins double 10 to hold the first leg of set 11.

Humphries comes to the oche with the darts. He finds his 22nd maximum. Humphries leaves 40, misses but takes out double 10. It's 1-1 in legs.

Littler needs a hold here and he bags a 180, his 12th. He can't take out 46 though, but comes back to take out 36. He takes out double 16 to hold. It's now 2-1 to Littler in this set.

Humphries throws a poor 26 but still has the advantage in the leg. Littler pressures with another 180, Humphries takes out 76 to level the set. He's a leg away from the title!

Littler has to hold this leg for the set. Humphries hits another great maximum to apply pressure. It's 125 for Humphries to become champion, but he hits the bullseye twice. Littler misses all his darts, Humphries returns for double 8, which he hits in two. Luke Humphries is the world champion!

Luke Humphries lifts the trophy
Luke Humphries lifts the trophyAFP
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