Summary

  • Gary Anderson beats Phil Taylor 7-6

  • The Scot wins his first world title

  • Taylor denied a 17th world championship

  • * denotes next to throw first

  1. Postpublished at 21:45 Greenwich Mean Time 4 January 2015

    So, Taylor will throw for a 5-3 lead. Would that be too much for Anderson to overcome? He gave Taylor all he had in the early part of this match, yet he still finds himself behind.

  2. Postpublished at 21:42 Greenwich Mean Time 4 January 2015

    MattMUFC:, external Anderson's body language has changed he doesn't seem the Anderson of 15-20 minutes ago

  3. Taylor wins the seventh setpublished at 21:42 Greenwich Mean Time 4 January 2015

    Phil TaylorImage source, EPA

    Not only is Taylor playing well, but Anderson is having no luck. Bounce-outs and yet another 'Robin Hood', hitting his own dart. Taylor, with the throw, struggles for a treble 20, but covers on 19s. Anderson down to the finish first, but Taylor is back in the trebles. 70 left, for the set and a 4-3 lead. Treble 18...two at double eight. That problem area again. Problems? What problems? When it matters, Taylor finds the red bit. The Power has won nine out of the last 10 legs and is a break to the good. Is that the ball game?

  4. Taylor breakspublished at 21:39 Greenwich Mean Time 4 January 2015

    I wonder if this is Taylor's chance. Anderson throwing, only 56, then 60. This is big. The fans sing as Taylor fills up the red bit. One-hun-red-and-eighty! Against throw, Taylor leaves 50 with Anderson not on a finish. 18...double 16? Two more missed, that south-west region causing trouble. He comes again. One missed. Two missed. Double eight missed too! Anderson for 110. 60 in! 10! Tops? No! Still Taylor for double eight...and still missing. Finally, at the eighth time of asking, Taylor breaks.

  5. Postpublished at 21:36 Greenwich Mean Time 4 January 2015

    Taylor is starting to look impenetrable on throw, while Anderson is suffering yet another bounce out. 122 after nine for the Power, while Anderson is 200 behind. No need to go for the bull, 32 left. Another shot at that pesky double 16. Three in hand. One needed. A level set.

  6. Postpublished at 21:34 Greenwich Mean Time 4 January 2015

    Anderson was 3-1 up against Michael van Gerwen last night only to be pulled back to 3-3. Then, he pulled away to win 6-3. You can't see that happening here. However, a 180 puts him control of this leg, with the darts. 44. Four for tops, but that and double 10 missed. No treble for Taylor, so no pressure on double five. Madhouse, double one? Not a chance. Taylor is limping behind, allowing Anderson to stop the rot.

  7. Taylor wins the sixth setpublished at 21:32 Greenwich Mean Time 4 January 2015

    Phil TaylorImage source, Getty Images

    Anderson isn't playing badly, but it's nowhere near the standard he set earlier on. Taylor is doing what he's done for a quarter of a century, scoring more than Don Bradman. He comes for tops and the set. Three darts, one needed. In the blink on an eye, Taylor has won six straight and is level at 3-3.

  8. Taylor breakspublished at 21:30 Greenwich Mean Time 4 January 2015

    Taylor still has the better average, 102 to 100. Anderson, no treble found, made to wait as Taylor drops a dart. Anderson still can't find the lucrative parts and Taylor is turning it up again. A 140 gets the Power to a finish first, 121 with Anderson way back. Treble 20, 15, 14. 32 left. That's better from the Scot, he lurks on 50. Can Taylor finally find double 16? The third dart does. Another break, five legs in a row and throwing for the set.

  9. Postpublished at 21:28 Greenwich Mean Time 4 January 2015

    The crowd settle, possibly after a trip to the bar. Taylor is now after the 60, four from six in his first two visits. Anderson, dark hair, gold chain, keeps pace, though, but is suffering when a treble 20 ends on the floor. Double eight for Taylor? Still struggling there. Two missed. Three. Double four is better for the hold.

  10. Postpublished at 21:25 Greenwich Mean Time 4 January 2015

    Anderson is playing close to his best, yet he can't shake Taylor off. The Power with the darts in the sixth, looking to level it up.

  11. Taylor wins the fifth setpublished at 21:22 Greenwich Mean Time 4 January 2015

    Phil TaylorImage source, PA

    We're seeing more turns than a twisty-turny thing as Anderson looks for the hold that will keep the set alive. A seventh maximum for Taylor, he'll have six from 181. The crowd sing for the Stokie, who can only get to 140 with his next three. Anderson pressure? You bet, a 140 takes him all the way to 70. Still, two missed at doubles give Taylor the chance for the set. 20...20...tops? In she goes! Phil Taylor breaks back, we're on throw in the final. Taylor stomps off stage, Anderson remains to practise.

  12. Postpublished at 21:19 Greenwich Mean Time 4 January 2015

    Taylor behind the break, back-to-back 140s, Anderson not quite keeping up. Hush in the Ally Pally, singular shouts heard, with applause for Taylor as he leaves 84 after nine. Anderson miles back, but Taylor does it in 11. Tide turned?

  13. Taylor breakspublished at 21:17 Greenwich Mean Time 4 January 2015

    What is Gary Anderson thinking? A break up in his second world final, the knowledge that holding his throw for the rest of his night will see him crowned champ. He can't get clear of Taylor at the start of this leg, but the Power can't punish enough. Finally, a 140 sees Anderson to a finish. Taylor, though has a 140 of his own. Anderson on 105, Taylor 65. Tops for Anderson...finally he misses. 64 for Taylor and break...treble 16...double eight? In she goes. An opening blow.

  14. Postpublished at 21:13 Greenwich Mean Time 4 January 2015

    So, as we've just learned, Taylor came from 4-2 down to beat Michael van Gerwen two years ago. If he can't break the Anderson throw in the next set, he will have to do it from 4-1 back.

  15. Postpublished at 21:11 Greenwich Mean Time 4 January 2015

    Phil Taylor with the Sid Waddell TrophyImage source, Getty Images

    In 2013, Taylor won his 16th world title, becoming the first winner of the Sid Waddell Trophy, after the world championship trophy was renamed following the death of the legendary commentator who passed away in August 2012.

    Taylor, who had beaten Raymond van Barneveld in a bad-tempered semi-final, came from 4-2 down in the final to beat Michael van Gerwen

  16. Anderson wins the fourth setpublished at 21:10 Greenwich Mean Time 4 January 2015

    Gary AndersonImage source, Getty Images

    A massive leg, Anderson throwing for the set, just as he did in the second. On 270, a 140 has him more than 200 ahead of Taylor and on a finish. On 130, six darts at it for a 3-1 lead. He leaves 72. 12...20...tops? Yes! Gary Anderson leads the World Championship final 3-1. His love affair with double 20 continues. Has Phil Taylor had his power cut?

  17. Postpublished at 21:08 Greenwich Mean Time 4 January 2015

    Is that Taylor biting his flights? Regular Taylor watchers will say that is a sign of him being worried. He must hold here to avoid going 3-1 down. He is, though, finding the trebles again as Anderson attempts a chase. Bull for Taylor....in the green bit. 140 for Anderson...no. So, Taylor for 25. Double eight again...at last. He stays in the set.

  18. Postpublished at 21:06 Greenwich Mean Time 4 January 2015

    When have you ever seen Phil Taylor miss nine darts at double? Never mind that, Anderson is already filling up the 60. 136 left after nine for the Scot, Taylor on 145. A double shot for Anderson? Not yet., but Taylor is, frankly, all over the show. Anderson holds with tops.

  19. Anderson breakspublished at 21:04 Greenwich Mean Time 4 January 2015

    Did we say Taylor was cooking? Maybe the heat has been turned off. Only 160 in his first six. Why do I doubt? A 180 when needed, 161 left after nine. He couldn't could he? No, opts against the bull as Anderson sits back. 32 for Taylor, sometimes a problem spot. Problems again, three missed. Anderson, though, can't take the 170. Another miss from Taylor. And another. And another! Six darts at double missed. Anderson for 72 and the break, a great chance. What's happened here? That's out of the board. Chance wasted. Still, Taylor is struggling. Nine darts missed at double! Anderson doesn't waste another chance and earns a break.

  20. Anderson wins the second setpublished at 21:01 Greenwich Mean Time 4 January 2015

    Gary AndersonImage source, Getty Images

    Now, a chance for Anderson to wrap it up one leg early as Taylor goes all round the board. The crowd taunt each other, something to do with where everyone is sitting, as Anderson streaks towards the set with a maximum. That's the 604th of the tournament, a new record. The fourth seed leaves 51 as Taylor floats around at the back. For the set, then. 11 for tops, the second of which is home. Anderson in the lead again.