LUKE LITTLER needled Newcastle fans after getting a mixed reception during his Premier League Darts walk-on.
The Nuke, 19, was jeered by Geordies after poking fun at the Magpies on social media before his first visit to the north-east in 2024.
And it seems some have refused to let bygones be bygones as a smattering of boos were mixed in with cheers on Thursday evening.
Littler went on to lose his Night 1 opener to the man he beat in last month’s World Darts Championship final – Gian van Veen.
But he made sure to get a parting shot in by referencing Newcastle’s Carabao Cup semi-final defeat before heading home.
Littler wrote on his Instagram story: “Newcastle u was brilliant [salute]. Onto next week… p.s. 3-1.”
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The Toon Army’s hopes of a second consecutive Carabao Cup triumph were shattered when Manchester City beat them by that scoreline in the second leg on Wednesday.
It was an odd one for Littler to be celebrating given that he is an outspoken Manchester United fan.
The youngster admitted earlier in the week that he wouldn’t even be tuning in to the Etihad clash due to the comfortable lead City had opened up in the first leg.
He said: “If it was 2-1 [on aggregate] then maybe, but 2-0 down going to the Etihad… yeah, it’s not good.”
Littler felt the wrath of Newcastle fans last year but put it down to “banter” after winning the Premier League meeting.
The Red Devils fanatic has also riled up Liverpool fans in his time, making a ‘2-0’ gesture with his hands in relation to their derby defeat to Everton before last year’s Premier League Night 13 on Merseyside.
Littler is still talking a big game but Thursday night belonged to Michael van Gerwen.
The Dutchman beat Stephen Bunting, Luke Humphries and Van Veen to take an early lead in the Premier League Darts standings and lay down a gauntlet to the rest of the field.
Van Gerwen kicks off against Josh Rock in Antwerp next week, with Littler facing familiar foe Humphries.
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