News

Luke Littler began the defence of his PDC World Championship title with a straight-set victory over Darius Labanauskas of Lithuania.

The world number one, 18, was the headline act on the opening night at Alexandra Palace.

Although the set scoreline looked convincing and Littler never appeared under real threat, 49-year-old Labanauskas provided stubborn first-round opposition.

A former quarter-finalist at Alexandra Palace, world number 95 Labanauskas held throw in the first leg of the match with a 130 checkout on the bull and took both of the first two sets to deciding legs.

“It definitely wasn’t easy and I’m happy with the win,” Littler, who posted a three-dart average of 101.54 and landed nine of his 14 attempts at doubles, told Sky Sports.

“There were a few nerves but once you win a leg and win a set, it settles you down. That first set was crucial against the darts.

“Everyone in the tournament wants to get through the first round. It’s definitely the hardest game – it doesn’t matter who you play. If you don’t play well, you’re not going to win, so I’m very happy with that.”

Littler became the youngest-ever world darts champion in January when, shortly before his 18th birthday, he beat Michael van Gerwen to win the title.

Elsewhere on the opening night, 2023 world champion Michael Smith beat Women’s World Matchplay winner Lisa Ashton 3-0.

Ashton, who had the majority of the crowd on her side, won two of the first three legs but Englishman Smith, 35, then put together a run of seven successive legs on his way to securing a spot in the last 64.

“That first set was nerve-wracking,” Smith told BBC Radio 5 Live. “As soon as I walked out, the crowd was on me straight away.

“I expected it but I thought if I go 1-0 down, it was going to get worse and worse.

“I tried to force things that weren’t there, but when I took that first set, it was happy days. I started to settle in then and nearly threw it away in the last set, but we’ll take the win.”

German debutant Arno Merk and Latvia’s Madars Razma also made it through to round two with 3-1 wins against Belgium’s Kim Huybrechts and Dutchman Jamai van den Herik respectively.

A total of 128 players are competing in the World Championship, up from 96 last year, for an increased first prize of £1m.

Thursday results

Friday schedule

From 12:30 GMT:

From 19:00 GMT:

Under-pressure Liverpool manager Gareth Taylor says his side have had a “real reality check” as their winless start to the Women’s Super League season continued with a damaging 3-0 defeat at Aston Villa.

The Reds have failed to win any of their 10 WSL games, picking up just four points.

Thursday’s loss at Villa Park, in which Liverpool failed to have a shot on target, leaves them two points adrift at the bottom of the table.

Asked about how much pressure he was under, Taylor told Sky Sports: “I don’t know. I think there is a real reality check here.

“I think this team needs help. I need help.”

Former Manchester City manager Taylor took over in August, replacing interim boss Amber Whiteley who had guided the team to a seventh-place finish in the WSL last season.

However, Taylor has won just three matches in his five months in charge, all against WSL 2-level opposition in the Women’s League Cup.

“I think there’s no doubt that we have regressed as a team for sure, more than is expected of a club like Liverpool,” Taylor added.

“We have given it everything. We are trying to coach the players. The players are really honest.

“The reality is we are aware of it and I think sometimes you can be really exposed – and that’s what has happened tonight.”

In Taylor’s defence, his early tenure on Merseyside has been disrupted by injuries to key players.

With Taylor under pressure to stop the rot at Liverpool, Sunday’s game at fellow strugglers West Ham (11:55 GMT) feels all the more important.

A win against Rehanne Skinner’s 11th-placed side would mean the Reds leapfrog West Ham to move out of the relegation play-off position.

“We have to go and show a reaction,” Taylor said. “Because if we don’t, we know that West Ham have players that can capitalise on that – and they will.”

Liverpool were undone by an early mistake at Villa Park on Thursday, with a mix-up between Gemma Evans and goalkeeper Faye Kirby allowing Rachel Daly to steal in and score after just 27 seconds.

Their defence was unlocked again when Chasity Grant raced behind Liverpool’s backline and played in Kirsty Hanson, while Daly added a third when she pounced on a parried save by Kirby.

Brighton forward Fran Kirby said it was “a tough night” for the Merseyside club.

“Even though they’ve looked a bit comfortable in possession in some moments, they just haven’t had enough,” Kirby said on Sky Sports.

“There were just too many goals tonight that they could’ve prevented if there was communication or understanding of where you want to be.”

Taylor said his side “made it really easy for Villa”.

“We need to compete and try and win games. That must be the minimum,” he added.

Under-pressure Liverpool manager Gareth Taylor says his side have had a “real reality check” as their winless start to the Women’s Super League season continued with a damaging 3-0 defeat at Aston Villa.

The Reds have failed to win any of their 10 WSL games, picking up just four points.

Thursday’s loss at Villa Park, in which Liverpool failed to have a shot on target, leaves them two points adrift at the bottom of the table.

Asked about how much pressure he was under, Taylor told Sky Sports: “I don’t know. I think there is a real reality check here.

“I think this team needs help. I need help.”

Former Manchester City manager Taylor took over in August, replacing interim boss Amber Whiteley who had guided the team to a seventh-place finish in the WSL last season.

However, Taylor has won just three matches in his five months in charge, all against WSL 2-level opposition in the Women’s League Cup.

“I think there’s no doubt that we have regressed as a team for sure, more than is expected of a club like Liverpool,” Taylor added.

“We have given it everything. We are trying to coach the players. The players are really honest.

“The reality is we are aware of it and I think sometimes you can be really exposed – and that’s what has happened tonight.”

In Taylor’s defence, his early tenure on Merseyside has been disrupted by injuries to key players.

With Taylor under pressure to stop the rot at Liverpool, Sunday’s game at fellow strugglers West Ham (11:55 GMT) feels all the more important.

A win against Rehanne Skinner’s 11th-placed side would mean the Reds leapfrog West Ham to move out of the relegation play-off position.

“We have to go and show a reaction,” Taylor said. “Because if we don’t, we know that West Ham have players that can capitalise on that – and they will.”

Liverpool were undone by an early mistake at Villa Park on Thursday, with a mix-up between Gemma Evans and goalkeeper Faye Kirby allowing Rachel Daly to steal in and score after just 27 seconds.

Their defence was unlocked again when Chasity Grant raced behind Liverpool’s backline and played in Kirsty Hanson, while Daly added a third when she pounced on a parried save by Kirby.

Brighton forward Fran Kirby said it was “a tough night” for the Merseyside club.

“Even though they’ve looked a bit comfortable in possession in some moments, they just haven’t had enough,” Kirby said on Sky Sports.

“There were just too many goals tonight that they could’ve prevented if there was communication or understanding of where you want to be.”

Taylor said his side “made it really easy for Villa”.

“We need to compete and try and win games. That must be the minimum,” he added.