The 17-year-old darts prodigy remains unfazed as he prepares to face top opposition in Cardiff

As the 17-year-old darts sensation, Luke Littler, gears up for his highly anticipated Premier League debut, he’s making it clear that he won’t let the pressure overwhelm him. Despite the spotlight on his first appearance in the prestigious competition, Littler remains focused and confident, ready to show his skills.

Littler’s debut will see him face Luke Humphries, the player who defeated him in the World Championship final, in the quarter-final match on Thursday, 1 February, during the opening night in Cardiff. Despite the magnitude of the event, Littler isn’t fazed by the challenge ahead. Speaking at the Premier League launch event at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, he simply stated, “I just do what I do, do what I do best and throw my darts in the board.”

The young darts star’s calm approach is a testament to his experience and mental strength, even at such a young age. His debut promises to be a thrilling encounter, but Littler’s focus remains on his game, rather than the expectations placed on him.

Jurgen Klopp’s final season ends with a dominant 4-1 triumph, highlighting the team’s potential and his lasting impact

In a powerful statement performance, Liverpool dominated Chelsea 4-1, sending a clear message about their title aspirations. The result, which comes after Jurgen Klopp’s unexpected announcement of his departure at season’s end, shows that the team has remained focused, undeterred by the uncertainty surrounding the manager’s future. Klopp’s impending exit was thought to potentially affect the squad, but they responded emphatically, securing a comprehensive win over Chelsea in a stunning display of attacking football.

Liverpool’s pace and intensity were simply too much for Chelsea, whose fragile defence struggled to contain the relentless movement. One of the standout performers was 20-year-old Conor Bradley, who scored a brilliant breakaway goal for Liverpool’s second and later provided an exceptional cross for Dominik Szoboszlai’s header. Bradley’s performance, filled with youthful energy and confidence, perfectly encapsulated the exciting direction Klopp has set for the team.

Chelsea, in contrast, seemed far from the cohesive unit needed to challenge Liverpool’s dominance. Despite flashes of individual brilliance, such as Christopher Nkunku’s goal, the squad appeared disconnected, with a lack of coherence throughout their play. Mauricio Pochettino has yet to find the right balance, and the team’s inability to rise to the occasion against a well-oiled Liverpool side only highlighted their ongoing struggles.

The match saw Liverpool control possession from the start, with Diogo Jota putting them 1-0 up after cutting through Chelsea’s defence. The scoreline could have been even more overwhelming had Darwin Núñez not missed a penalty, though he later provided a fantastic assist for Luis Díaz’s goal, making it 4-1. While Núñez’s performance had its flaws, particularly in front of goal, his work rate and link-up play were invaluable.

For Chelsea, it was a night to forget. Their once formidable resilience was nowhere to be seen as they were easily carved apart by Klopp’s side. Pochettino’s team looked disjointed, and despite his tactical efforts, the match ended as a heavy defeat, one that leaves more questions than answers for the Argentine coach. Chelsea’s issues go beyond a lack of star players; there’s a fundamental issue with team cohesion that must be addressed.

For Klopp, however, this victory represents a final push towards something special. While this is not yet the high-octane Liverpool of past seasons, the foundations for an exciting future are clearly in place. Klopp may be leaving, but the legacy he leaves behind will undoubtedly continue to shape this team, providing hope for more success in the final months of the season. With this convincing win, Liverpool looks set to maintain their push for the title, while Chelsea faces yet another rebuilding phase.

Nathan Ake’s 88th-minute strike secures City’s progression, ending a five-game losing streak at Spurs’ stadium

Manchester City’s long-running struggle at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium finally came to an end as they triumphed 1-0 in the FA Cup fourth round, thanks to a dramatic late goal from Nathan Ake. The win, secured in the 88th minute, was City’s first-ever goal in Tottenham’s new stadium, ending a five-match losing streak that had seen them fail to score.

The match was a tense affair, with City creating plenty of chances but struggling to break the deadlock. Julian Alvarez, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, and Jeremy Doku all missed significant opportunities. City’s best chance early on was ruled offside by the slimmest of margins after Oscar Bobb’s close-range rebound.

For much of the game, Tottenham had little control, with City finding spaces in the middle of the park. Without Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr, Spurs’ midfield looked vulnerable, and City exploited it well, with Mateo Kovacic frequently driving the ball forward. However, Spurs’ defence held strong, with key interventions from Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro preventing City from scoring.

As the game wore on, the tension grew. City continued to press, but Tottenham managed to hold them off, with the crowd becoming more engaged. With the clock winding down, Guardiola’s side finally broke the deadlock. After a scramble in the box following a corner, Ake pounced on a loose ball and poked it home, sparking wild celebrations.

Tottenham’s appeals for a foul on goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario were rejected after a VAR review, and the goal stood. This victory keeps City’s treble hopes alive, and they will now progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup.

In other FA Cup news, Chelsea will face a replay against Aston Villa, while Nottingham Forest also had to settle for a draw at Bristol City.

Nathan Ake’s 88th-minute strike ends City’s Tottenham curse, keeping their treble defence alive

Manchester City’s treble defence remains on track after a dramatic late goal from Nathan Ake secured a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup fourth round. The goal, scored in the 88th minute, ended City’s five-match losing streak at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and ensured their progression to the next stage of the competition.

For much of the match, it seemed as though City’s woes in North London would continue. Despite dominating possession, the visitors struggled to break down Spurs and were on the brink of another frustrating defeat. However, Ake’s timely intervention following a Ruben Dias flick from a corner was enough to seal the win.

The goal was initially contested by Tottenham players, who claimed goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario had been fouled in the build-up. After a VAR review, the decision was upheld, much to the relief of City fans.

With this victory, Manchester City’s hopes of defending their trio of trophies from last season remain alive, as they look to add the FA Cup to their Premier League and Champions League titles.

Elsewhere, Chelsea advanced to the English League Cup final, while their FA Cup progress is still uncertain following a goalless draw with Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge. The two teams will now meet for a replay at Villa Park.

Premier League side Nottingham Forest was also held to a 0-0 draw at Bristol City, requiring a replay to continue their FA Cup journey. Sheffield Wednesday earned a replay after Djeidi Gassama’s 84th-minute equaliser in their 1-1 draw with Coventry.