Wayne Mardle claims Gerwyn Price was 'far superior' to Luke Littler and says Thursday's Premier League clash 'could have been a rout'.
Price won a final-leg thriller on night three in Glasgow to condemn his opponent to defeat in the quarter-final clash.
Littler had won at least one of his matches in his first two weeks in the Premier League and was a runner-up on night two in Berlin.
However, he tasted defeat on Thursday meaning he wouldn't add to the five points he has accumulated in the competition so far.
Wayne Mardle says Gerwyn Price was far superior to Luke Littler
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Littler had already beaten Price on two occasions this year, triumphing at the Bahrain Masters and Dutch Darts Masters.
However, the Welshman got his revenge at the OVO Hydro in a tight contest full of quality darts from both players.
Littler had led 3-2 and 4-3 but Price won two legs in a row to take it to a decider.
The former world champion proved too strong in the last leg as he held his nerve to win 6-5 after his 17-year-old opponent failed an audacious attempt at hitting two doubles to win the match.
Littler averaged 97.04, slightly higher than Price's 96.46, and had the highest checkout of the match, taking out 138.
But Price had more 180s, six to Littler's four, and far more darts at a double than his opponent.
Mardle claimed afterwards that Price deserved victory after an unfortunate bounce out on his penultimate throw.
He said the scoreline could have been more emphatic in Price's favour if he was more clinical on the doubles.
Mardle said on Sky Sports: "There did have to be a loser but I've got to say Gerwyn Price looked so smooth, he looked so comfortable and when the 57 went in he threw such a precise dart there wasn't enough room for another one in there (after a bounce out).
"He was really unlucky but got his chance to finish it off.
"It could have been a rout really because he was outscoring Luke Littler to some tune.
"Luke just couldn't hit his doubles, but the scoring from Gezzy leg in, leg out was far superior. He kept buying himself opportunities but missing, but held it together."
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Gerwyn Price beat Luke Littler for the first time in the Premier League
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Littler will have to dust himself off and return in Newcastle next week where he takes on Peter Wright in the quarter-final.
Wright is still yet to pick up a point in the tournament after losing to Michael van Gerwen in front of his home crowd.
Mardle says Littler's inconsistency at the oche provides a real challenge for opponents.
He added: "That last leg, Luke Littler produces exciting darts. He just does and he's very, very difficult to beat.
"He goes through these phases in games where he hits a 12-darter, followed by a 10.
Gerwyn Price won a final-leg thriller against Luke Littler in the Premier League
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"You don't really know what's coming with him and then he goes through a spell of 60, 59 and then it will be followed by a 180 and 140.
"The players can't relax and you could see that with Gerwyn Price, but he was magnificent.
"I like Gezzy because he brings something different to the game. The way he plays the game he adds this passion and aggression.
"When he was flying tonight it was great watching that. He offers something and it's good to see."
