Luke Littler began his defence of the Belgian Open title with a second-round win – but four Premier League players were dumped out on Saturday.
The world champion, who won last year’s Belgian title while making his European Tour debut in Wieze, was among the 16 seeds that joined the draw in the second round.
The 18-year-old averaged 94.36 to Ryan Searle’s 95.48 but was far more efficient on the doubles, finishing with a checkout percentage of 42.9% compared to Searle’s 25% to clinch a 6-3 victory.
But four of the top 10 seeds fell at their first hurdle, including world number one Luke Humphries and three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen.
The world number three suffered the biggest shock, with Van Gerwen humbled 6-4 by unranked Croatian qualifier Boris Krcmar, 45.
Humphries and Rob Cross both claimed a nine-dart finish during Thursday’s Premier League action, while Nathan Aspinall was beaten by Littler in the final.
Humphries averaged just 92.61 on Saturday, though, as the 2024 world champion was upset 6-4 by local favourite Mike de Decker (100.45).
Ross Smith (112.60) proved too strong for world number four Cross (98.80) as he beat last year’s runner-up 6-2, while Aspinall was dealt a narrow 6-5 loss to Ritchie Edhouse.
The tournament concludes on Sunday, with Littler having a third-round game against fellow Englishman Luke Woodhouse, who beat Gary Anderson 6-2.
Gerwyn Price averaged 112.42 in his 6-2 victory over Gian van Veen and will face Damon Heta, who thrashed former world champion Michael Smith 6-0.
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Joe Bradshaw
BBC Sport Senior Journalist
425 Comments
It is one of football’s oldest cliches, but in the case of Manchester United and Arsenal this season, the league table really does not lie.
For Arsenal, one point from their past two games means they are extremely unlikely to reel in league leaders Liverpool and face the disappointing prospect of finishing second for a third straight season.
For United, it has been a historically miserable season, marooned in 14th place, still waiting to win back-to-back Premier League games and contemplating their worst points record in the competition.
Getty Images
Why the league table is a fair reflection
Beyond being second, they are down in almost every metric on this time in 2023-24, where they had 61 points after 27 games.
Their shot conversion rate is also worse than last season but, despite valid criticism about the lack of a striker, only Brentford and Liverpool have proved more efficient at putting the ball in the net.
However, it is only in goals conceded that Arsenal have matched their 2023-24 record – and they remain the best defence in the Premier League in that regard.
As for United, their goal difference demonstrates their position is correct:
Problems in attack are mirrored at the back even though there has been partial improvement this season.
Ruben Amorim’s side have actually faced far fewer shots than at this stage in 2023-24 – and a smaller number than high-flying Nottingham Forest, Newcastle and Aston Villa.
Arsenal ‘ dominant ‘ over Man Utd in 2024-25
Arsenal have won their past four Premier League games against United – the longest such streak in the history of this rivalry – but did lose on penalties to Amorim’s 10-man side in the FA Cup in January.
The underlying numbers still suggest a United victory in their third-round tie was unexpected.
Mikel Arteta’s side were dominant in almost all metrics, as they had been in the league encounter a month previously, only to find United’s second-choice keeper Altay Bayindir inspired as he denied the Gunners.
In fact, the only area where Amorim’s side laid a blow was in fouls, committing 50% more than their opponents.
“It’s a big club which has struggled a little bit but we know the quality they have when they’re really on it”, said Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard. “They have a lot of good individual players that we have to be ready for.
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
Joe Bradshaw
BBC Sport Senior Journalist
53 Comments
It is one of football’s oldest cliches, but in the case of Manchester United and Arsenal this season, the league table really does not lie.
For Arsenal, one point from their past two games means they are extremely unlikely to reel in league leaders Liverpool and face the disappointing prospect of finishing second for a third straight season.
For United, it has been a historically miserable season, marooned in 14th place, still waiting to win back-to-back Premier League games and contemplating their worst points record in the competition.
Getty Images
Why the league table is a fair reflection
Beyond being second, they are down in almost every metric on this time in 2023-24, where they had 61 points after 27 games.
Their shot conversion rate is also worse than last season but, despite valid criticism about the lack of a striker, only Brentford and Liverpool have proved more efficient at putting the ball in the net.
However, it is only in goals conceded that Arsenal have matched their 2023-24 record – and they remain the best defence in the Premier League in that regard.
As for United, their goal difference demonstrates their position is correct:
Problems in attack are mirrored at the back even though there has been partial improvement this season.
Ruben Amorim’s side have actually faced far fewer shots than at this stage in 2023-24 – and a smaller number than high-flying Nottingham Forest, Newcastle and Aston Villa.
Arsenal ‘ dominant ‘ over Man Utd in 2024-25
Arsenal have won their past four Premier League games against United – the longest such streak in the history of this rivalry – but did lose on penalties to Amorim’s 10-man side in the FA Cup in January.
The underlying numbers still suggest a United victory in their third-round tie was unexpected.
Mikel Arteta’s side were dominant in almost all metrics, as they had been in the league encounter a month previously, only to find United’s second-choice keeper Altay Bayindir inspired as he denied the Gunners.
In fact, the only area where Amorim’s side laid a blow was in fouls, committing 50% more than their opponents.
“It’s a big club which has struggled a little bit but we know the quality they have when they’re really on it”, said Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard. “They have a lot of good individual players that we have to be ready for.
The King will deliver a message of hope and unity saying the Commonwealth exists as a “source of strength and an opportunity for learning”.
On Commonwealth Day on Monday, communities from across the 56 nations will come together to celebrate the unique family of nations. The monarch will lead the Royal Family at a special celebration at Westminster Abbey in London, supported by the Queen and Prince and Princess of Wales. The King and Kate missed last year’s ceremony after both being diagnosed with cancer just weeks before.
This year, Charles will deliver a message recognising “uncertain times” across the world, with wars raging in the Middle East and in Europe. The King last week met Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky at his Sandringham estate in Norfolk after the wartime leader suffered a bruising encounter with US president Donald Trump at the White House as the pair exchanged cross words.
King Charles with the rest of the Royal Family at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in 2023 (Getty Images)
Royal sources revealed it was the Ukrainian president who asked to meet the monarch, often seen as a global peacemaker, during a whistlestop visit to London as the UK and European nations attempted to thrash out a route to peace for the eastern European country that was invaded by Russia three years ago.
In his message as head of the Commonwealth, Charles will say: “In these uncertain times, where it is all too easy to believe that our differences are problems instead of a source of strength and an opportunity for learning, the Commonwealth’s remarkable collection of nations and peoples come together in the spirit of support and, crucially, friendship. The Commonwealth’s ability to bring together people from all over the world has stood the test of time and remains as ever-important today”.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are to join the King and Queen for the annual Commonwealth Day service next week. The princess is still making a gradual return to public duties after confirming she is in remission.
William, Kate, Charles and Camilla will also gather with the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester for the service on Monday in Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace announced. This year’s Commonwealth Day theme is Together We Thrive, which celebrates the “enduring spirit of the Commonwealth family”.
The King met Ukrainian Presideny Volodymyr Zelensky at his Sandringham estate last week
Charles normally gives an annual address each year to the family of 56 nations, but last year pre-recorded a video message after postponing his public-facing duties for around three months. Kate was diagnosed with cancer after having abdominal surgery at the start of last year and revealed at the end of March that she was undergoing chemotherapy. She has carried out a number of engagements this year, revealing in January she is in remission, as she continues her return to public life, including visiting Pontypridd ahead of St David’s Day last week.
During the service, singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading will perform an arrangement of her well-known hit Love And Affection for the 2, 000-strong congregation. On the same day, the King will launch the inaugural King’s Baton Relay at Buckingham Palace, officially starting the countdown to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. It marks the 18th official Commonwealth Games relay, and Charles’s first as King.
He will place a message inside the baton, which will be sealed and kept closed until the opening ceremony next summer, when the King’s words will be read out to signal the start of the sporting competition. Charles will hand the baton to the first baton bearer, six-time Olympic champion cyclist Sir Chris Hoy. Sir Chris, who has terminal prostate cancer, will walk through the Palace’s Quadrangle to the Centre Arch with a pathway lined by pipers from the Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band London.
In 2021, the late Queen launched the Commonwealth Games 2022 baton relay at the Palace in what was her first major event since the start of the Covid pandemic. The 2026 Commonwealth Games are due to take place in Glasgow from July 23 to August 2 next year.
Charles and Camilla will also be guests of the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Scotland, at the annual Commonwealth Day reception on Monday and hear a commemorative song by Andrew Lloyd Webber to mark the inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize.
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Manchester United told price for Jean-Philippe Mateta, Fulham also set Antonee Robinson valuation and West Ham begin Tammy Abraham talks.
Manchester United have been told it will cost them £40m to sign French striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, 27, from Crystal Palace. (Mirror)
Fulham will also only consider offers of more than £40m for 27-year-old USA left-back Antonee Robinson, who is a target for Liverpool and Manchester United. (Football Insider)
Roma could be willing to sell Tammy Abraham in the summer as AC Milan do not wish to sign the on-loan striker for next season and the 27-year-old Englishman is not part of next season’s plans at his parent club. (Nicolo Schira)
West Ham, Wolves and Everton are interested in Abraham, with the Hammers having begun talks with his representatives over a potential move. (Calciomercato – in Italian)
Tottenham are set to make a bid of about 40m euros (£33.6m) for Bournemouth’s Ghana winger Antoine Semenyo, 25. (CaughtOffside)
Chelsea are tracking Feyenoord’s David Hancko, with Tottenham among the other clubs interested in the Slovakia defender, 27. (Teamtalk)
Manchester United have an option to extend Kobbie Mainoo’s contract by 12 months to 2028, although the England midfielder, 19, is on the lowest salary in the senior squad. (Sun)
Everton will push to sign Denmark midfielder Christian Norgaard, 30, when his contract expires at Brentford in the summer. (Football Insider)
Juventus and Brazil midfielder Douglas Luiz, 26, could be swapped with Newcastle and Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali, 24, this summer. (Calciomercato – in Italian)
Newcastle are interested in signing 19-year-old Spanish winger Assane Diao from Como in the summer. (Football Insider)
Inter Milan want to negotiate a new contract for Marcus Thuram as the France forward, 27, currently has a release clause of 85m euros (£71.3m). (Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian)
Eintracht Frankfurt are closely monitoring the situation of 20-year-old Turkey winger Arda Guler at Real Madrid. (Sky Sports Germany)
A Real Housewives of Cheshire star has announced that she’s tied the knot in a destination wedding.
Ester Dee, 40, shared this evening that she has now married her partner Glynn Keeling. It comes after the couple headed to the Maldives on their own just days ago for their nuptials. The reality TV star previously said that family and friends weren’t invited but will be at a “big party” after the trip.
She shared photos of herself in her white dress on Instagram earlier and confirmed alongside them that she had married Glynn, often referred to as ‘ Mr Dee’. Ester wrote: “I have officially left Ester Dee and I have become Ester Keeling today. I cannot explain how I feel to have my soulmate now as a husband of mine. Looking forward giving all I have to us. Smashed it guys. What you think about the dress”.
Fans complimented Ester on the outfit in the comments section and she was also met with reaction from celebrity pals. It included replies from former colleagues from the ITVBe show, which she’s appeared on over the years.
Ampika Pickston wrote: “Omg absolutely stunning. Congratulations”. Whilst Nicole Sealey reacted to the post: “Congratulations”. Rachel Lugo said: “I’m so happy for you. Congratulations beautiful”. Leilani Dowding wrote beside heart emojis: “Yes yes yes! Congratulations. You deserve all the happiness in the world you wonderful soul”.
It wasn’t just Real Housewives stars who congratulated Ester though. Christine McGuinness responded: “Congrats my angel. You deserve all the love and happiness in the world”. Big Brother’s Chanelle Hayes said: “Congratulations! You look absolutely stunning”. Whilst My Mum, Your Dad star Monique Payneeandy wrote: “Wow you look amazing! Beautiful Mrs Keeling. Congratulations to you both”.
Former Real Housewives of Cheshire cast member Ester Dee has revealed she’s got married (Instagram/esterdee/sunsiyamiruveli/cameobridesllandudno)
She’s tied the knot with her partner Glynn Keeling in a destination wedding in the Maldives this week (Instagram/esterdee)
Ester had revealed that the couple were heading abroad for their nuptials earlier this week. She shared photos from the flight and told fans: “Here we go. We are ready for the ride for the rest of our life”. She later confirmed that it was just herself and Glynn, sharing that they had chosen not to invite family and friends.
She said: “We have decided not to invite any magazine deals, family or friends. We are planning to do a big party later on to celebrate our commitment for each other. Invitations soon. Watch out”. Ester added: “This time it’s just the 2 of us standing facing each other. Sand, sea and flowers. We did not want to get stressed about anything else, rather than small details which matter to us”.
The reality TV star expressed gratitude to fans for their support at the time. She wrote in that post just days ago, “You all have been behind me all the way. Thank you again for your love, support, understanding and kindness”.
More recently, Ester teased that she was feeling nervous hours ahead of the wedding. She wrote: “Excited and nervous”. And she had commented in a follow-up post: “Tomorrow I get to marry the love of my life. My best friend, my twin flame. And I can’t wait. Nerves are good right”?
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