Luke Littler thrashes Gerwyn Price 18-9 to defend World Matchplay title
Littler finishes tournament with average of 111.04 - beating Phil Taylor's Matchplay record of 106.31
Littler has average of 111.53 in final, which is also a record
Littler 4-1 Price
Image source, Getty ImagesBreak consolidated in style by Luke Littler!
A 167 checkout followed by a 110.
He is just on another level. It's early in this final but already it's hard to see how he can be stopped!
Littler 3-1 Price
Wayne Mardle
Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports
I'm going to be critical here...
You are giving Luke Littler confidence - Gerwyn Price was acting like that was funny. What was funny about it?
Gezzy, get stuck into him pal.
Littler 3-1 Price
John Part
Former PDC world champion on Sky Sports
Has Luke Littler opened the floodgates? He's due some more big finishes...
Littler 3-1 Price
Sensational!
Luke Littler strikes the first blow with a phenomenal 167 checkout to claim the first break. Just brilliant.
Treble 20, treble 19, bullseye.
Gerwyn Price chuckles but that will hurt given that he was only just inside on the double 20 for a 145 out.
Littler 2-1 Price
John Part
Former PDC world champion on Sky Sports
Luke Littler has got the big average going early on again. He's out of the gates well.
Gerwyn Price has started well too. You feel like you are involved if you are Price.
Littler 2-1 Price
You don't average the 110 that Luke Littler has in this tournament without hitting a fair few 180s.
The Nuke hits his second of the match to take control of the leg and eventually hits double 10 to win it in 15 darts.
Littler 1-1 Price
The first 180 of the night goes to Gerwyn Price, bringing a roar from the crowd.
But Luke Littler is right behind him, responding in kind.
Price then goes 177 to leave 22 and when Littler can't take out 141, the Welshman hits double 11 to level it up.
Littler 1-0 Price
A succession of 140s in the leg, neither player able to hit the max just yet but it's Luke Littler on the board first.
Double 10 hit for a straightforward hold.
Littler 0-0 Price
John Part
Former PDC world champion on Sky Sports
The usual relaxed and I'll just settle in philosophy probably isn't the right approach for Gerwyn Price in this match. He needs to get ahead.
Littler v Price
Luke Littler is up on stage now as well, a few more stops and starts on his walk-on and he greets friends and family in the crowd.
We're just about ready to go in this World Matchplay final...
Littler v Price
Here we go then, it's walk-on time.
First up, it's Gerwyn Price marching on with purpose as Ice, Ice Baby plays.
He plays it cool before giving the crowd what they want, that big cry of 'come on!'
Littler v Price
Wayne Mardle
Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports
I'm saying 18-8 to Luke Littler.
Littler v Price
Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports
I can only see one winner. It will be tight at the start but then I'm saying 18-9 to Luke Littler.
Littler v Price
In the first 10 legs of Saturday's semi-final Luke Littler was averaged 117.10 and Phil Taylor's match record in the Matchplay of 114.99 was under threat.
Littler's level dropped slightly and he finished just below 111 but that has left him well placed to break another of Taylor's record - the tournament average at a Matchplay.
Even an average in the low 90s tonight would see Littler beat the record. It would be a major surprise if that doesn't happen now!
Littler v Price
Image source, Getty ImagesThey're playing for the Phil Taylor trophy tonight, of course.
If you're wondering why this one is named after the great man, that's simple: he won this tournament a remarkable 16 times.
That included a run of eight Matchplay wins in a row between 2006 and 2014. He wasn't bad, you know...
Luke Littler is breaking all sorts of records but that is one he will do well to break.
Littler v Price
Wayne Mardle
Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports
Gerwyn Price's ceiling is good enough to win this game, but is that enough if Luke Littler is near the top of his game?
There will be a bit of timing involved and he'll need some luck.
I just want Price to go up and play his game. He's got the will and belief to win.
Littler v Price
Luke Littler has averaged more than 109 in all four of this ties in this year's Matchplay so you won't be surprised to see that he's outscoring Gerwyn Price considerably.
The Welshman has only had a ton average in one of his four matches. Surely he's going to need one to be competitive tonight?
The checkout percentages are much closer, with Littler's improving as the tournament has progressed.
Littler v Price
Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports
I don't think the players have been letting Luke Littler off too easily like Gerwyn Price has said, he's just been playing really well.
That may help Price though. He's had a fantastic tournament but finishing runner-up isn't enough for him. He likes to win.
Price needs to get Littler thinking and get him on the back foot early.
Littler v Price
Gerwyn Price's run to the final has seen him reclaim the title of Wales' number one from his good friend Jonny Clayton.
He suffered a scare in the first round before coming through in extra legs to beat Germany's Martin Schindler.
Since then, though, Price has progressed more comfortably and eased past world number three Gian van Veen in last night's semis.
Image source, BBC Sport/Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesThe past 10 editions of the World Matchplay have given us nine different winners.
Will Luke Littler defend his crown or can Gerwyn Price make it a 10th different winner in as many years?
Past 10 World Matchplay winners