PDC Daily Dose: Luke Littler shows he’s not a robot as he’s booed off stage after shock rant, Charlie Manby sends ‘dangerous’ warning

The first round took an age but now we’re rapidly accelerating towards the final of the PDC World Darts Championship final.

Monday’s action saw round three reach its climax, while world no.1 and favourite for the title Luke Littler was given a fright as he squeezed his way into the quarter-finals – and he didn’t half have a pop at the jeering fans post-match afterwards.

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Ryan Searle is the other confirmed name in the final eight with the long-haired thrower quietly playing his way into contention with his under-the-radar ruthless efficiency.

Not joining them is 15th seed Nathan Aspinall, who was sent packing in the third round by Dutchman Kevin Doets in a 4-3 thriller.

And the fairy tale runs of Justin Hood and 20-year-old starlet Charlie Manby, both men winning their respective third round matches to continue their debut appearances at Ally Pally.

Here at talkSPORT, we have every match live on our network.

And our ‘PDC Daily Dose’ column will bring you the news and exclusive reactions you may have missed.

Luke-ing shaky

A first sign of weakness shown by last year’s winner Littler, who dropped his first sets of the tournament during his fourth round triumph over 2018 champion Rob Cross.

Littler breezed to the first set and was even caught mouthing the ‘boring, boring tables’ chant sung by fans inside the arena.

Cross came roaring back to ensure it wouldn’t be a straightforward evening for Littler, who eventually prevailed to a 4-2 win.

Unlike his previous three matches at these finals, Littler cut an animated figure as he passionately celebrated crucial points and bit back at fans who booed and jeered against him during the game with a shock outburst.

“Can I just say one thing – you guys pay for tickets and you pay for my prize money so thank you, thank you for my money, thank you for booing me! Come on!” Littler said on stage in the immediate aftermath of his win.

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The main Man-by

Littler is the youngest player left in the tournament but just behind him in the World Championship baby rankings is 20-year-old starlet Manby, who booked his place in the last 16 during Monday’s afternoon session.

It was a masterclass in mentality from Manby as he came back from 2-1 down to storm to a 4-2 win over Ricky Evans in the second match of the day.

Manby showed great maturity against his far more experienced opponent, who was guilty of letting his level drop significantly once Manby went 3-2 up.

Next up for Manby is a fourth round date with Gian van Veen and he has the added incentive of earning his Tour Card with a win.

But Manby has his sights set on more than a Tour Card, and he issued a warning to rivals that he’s only getting started in this tournament.

“I think, you know, put anyone in front of me… I haven’t even shown my A Game yet, and that’s the beauty of it,” Manby told talkSPORT after his win over Evans.

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“I think it’s a matter of time before that comes out of me, and I’ve got to the last 16 without even getting out of second gear. So, that’s the dangerous thing, what people might not see.”

Can I take your order?

The first match of the day saw Hood’s dream debut at the worlds go on as he convincingly beat Ryan Meikle 4-1.

The Weston-super-Mare pocket rocket bounced around the stage before, during and after his match like there was only a couple of quid and a bag of Pub Pork Scratchings on the line.

In reality, there’s a whole lot more on the line with at least £60,000 coming Hood’s way thanks to his latest win.

Beat Josh Rock in the fourth round on Tuesday and Hood will bank £100k, and according to Hood himself that will be enough to see him live out his dream… of opening his own Chinese restaurant.

Having admitted he’s wanted to own a Chinese for the last 15 years, Hood said when asked why: “I just love the food. If I open it, I get free food. We’re out of business in six months! 

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“We’re getting closer though. I’ve got a few people that are interested. So one more win, I reckon next year it could happen.

“I just love it. It just tastes good.”

And in case you were wondering what Hood’s order is when he has a Chinese…