Bunting did little wrong in the opening set – he averaged an astounding 113.35 – and yet found himself 1-0 down after failing to check out 92.
A typically raucous Alexandra Palace enjoyed the festivities as teenage Littler made his second final in a row
He would be the youngest champion in history and it is fitting that Van Gerwen is the current record holder in the PDC era. He was 24 when he won the first of his three titles in 2014, and ‘Mighty Mike’ likewise won 6-1 in his own semi-final with Chris Dobey last night.
Bunting is one of the most likeable chaps on the circuit and the 39-year-old Liverpudlian felt the love of the crowd who belted his walk-on tune of David Guetta’s Titanium back at him. But the 2014 BDO Darts Championship winner was fighting a losing battle from the get-go.
Dobey never turned up, in truth. His name was on the scoreboard, sure, and the £100,000 cheque from the PDC will make it look like he was in a contest. But really, he wasn’t.
Littler reduced Stephen Bunting to darting rubble on Thursday night, via a 6-1 victory in which he managed 13 maximums, a 170-finish, and an overall average of 105.48. ‘The Nuke’ is now one more mesmeric night from a cheque for £500,000 and the Sid Waddell Trophy.
The second set was scrappier, only one maximum being struck as neither man averaged a ton-plus, but Littler extended his lead to 2-0. At 4-0, Littler was in total charge, though Bunting at least avoided the indignity of a whitewash as he reduced it to 4-1.
It was an illusion, as fake as the excuses that will be made by the Ally Pally patrons who phone in sick to work this morning. Van Gerwen started this match with a 180 and never looked back.
Comparing this year’s run to the last, Littler said: ‘I’ve played better. I’ve won plenty of titles leading up to this. I can’t wait. If we both turn up like we did tonight, it’s going to be really good.’
Littler landed double 10 to secure that lead, that finish getting up there with death and taxes in its inevitability.
Named after the late commentator, we can only imagine how Waddell would have described Littler today, but it is worth leaning on his iconic line from Eric Bristow’s crowning in 1984.