Teenager Littler cruises past legend Van Barneveld

Luke Littler continued his historic run at the PDC World Darts Championship with a sensational 4-1 victory over five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld to reach the quarter-finals.

The 16-year-old powered past the Dutchman with a stunning display to send the Alexandra Palace crowd wild.

Littler was born 21 days after Van Barneveld, 56, won the most recent of his five world titles in 2007.

He will play Northern Ireland's Brendan Dolan in the last eight.

"Unbelievable. I don't know what to say," he told Sky Sports.

"I went 2-0 up, 3-0 up, then I said to my family, one set away and I'm over the line."

Littler admitted in the build-up to Saturday's game that Van Barneveld was his idol growing up, posting a video of himself as a youngster on social media re-enacting the Dutchman's signature arms outstretched celebration.

But he showed no sign of being in awe of the veteran, as he averaged 105 and hit nine 180s to become the youngest player to reach the quarter-finals of the World Championships.

"He [Van Barneveld] said to me 'you can go all the way, I hope you can go all the way'. I said 'thank you' - he's a true gentleman and I respect Raymond very, very much," added Littler, who was doing his GCSEs just six months ago.

Asked whether he believed he could lift the trophy, Littler said: "I fancy myself, I do fancy myself, but we have Brendan next. Let's just focus on Brendan."

Littler's sensational run has seen him rise from obscurity to sporting stardom, with Arsenal footballers Declan Rice and Aaron Ramsdale asking for a photograph with him in a hotel last week.

The Manchester United-supporting youngster also received a good luck message from Red Devils defender Jonny Evans and former United full-back Gary Neville before his meeting with Van Barneveld.

That hype will only continue as he prepares for his meeting with Dolan on New Year's Day.

More to follow.