Eeeek. That was a nervous 59 to start from Cross.

And Taylor replies with a 180, as a wry smile comes across the face of the 16-time World Champion.

Cross might be made to wait...

But no. He hits three treble 18s to leave 140.

The crowd need to get behind Rob Cross.

They might be disappointed that Phil Taylor isn't getting his fairy tale ending, but they need to appreciate the brilliance of this performance from a man on his World Championship debut.

Rob Cross misses two darts at double 16, but he'll be back for three more.

In it goes on his third attempt, and Cross is ONE LEG AWAY.

He is throwing for the title.

Cross is off to the perfect start in the ninth set.

From 135 he leaves double 20 and he'll get three darts at tops with Taylor not on a finish.

No pressure and in it goes. Cross is two legs away.

Sean O'Sullivan: Are we watching the darts equivalent of Federer vs Sampras? #changingoftheguard, external

Becki Pollard: Hooked on the darts final .. at 8 months pregnant, hoping the excitement doesn’t bring on labour!

Chris H: What is certain now, either the greatest story in darts or the greatest comeback in darts will happen tonight.

Phil Taylor won his first World Championship title back in 1990 with a 6-1 dismantling of Eric Bristow.

28 years on, we could be watching the same match.

Rob Cross has the darts in the ninth set and he's three legs away from a first World Championship title.

Zak Karim: Is it fair to say Taylor is being humiliated or maybe his route to the final was too easy as Anderson wasn't 100%?

David Howell: This match won't even be the one everyone remembers from this tournament. That'll be the Cross/MvG semi, which could be the beginning of the greatest rivalry that darts has ever seen.

What a prospect...

Taylor with the throw to pull a set back against Rob Cross.

Cross has a go at 132 but misses the bull, and Taylor steps up to try a 141.

The first dart is good but he misses treble 19 and Cross will have a chance.

NO. Rob Cross can't check out 30.

Taylor nails double 16, he's back to 6-2 and the match goes on.

Image source, AFP

Two legs in a row for Phil Taylor. Is the comeback on?

Another double 16 flies into the bed and Taylor has now won half as many legs as Rob Cross in this match.

The crowd are alive again. "One Philip Taylor" rings around the Ally Pally. Do they really still believe?

Image source, EPA

STAND UP IF YOU LOVE THE DARTS. Do it quick, there's not much time left in this final.

Rob Cross needs 76, but it doesn't go!!! The man is human after all.

Two missed darts, one at double 16, one at double 18 and Taylor takes the first leg of the eighth set on double two.

It's a race to seven sets. Rob Cross has six.

This is last chance saloon for Phil Taylor, against a guy who was an amateur just one year ago.

This will be a remarkable story, whichever way it ends.

Luke Almond: Can someone tell Cross that this meant to be the biggest match of his life? He looks like he’s just just throwing some casual arrows down his local.

JRJ: Rob Cross and double 18... name a more iconic duo, I'll wait...

Image source, PA

I have snacks to keep me going until midnight. But this one could be over before I've even taken my first bite.

Taylor has no answer to the magic of Rob Cross. And this train ain't stopping anytime soon.

Cross is three legs away from becoming the champion of the world!

Taylor is distracted up on that stage, and using some interesting tactics to try and claw his way back into the final.

But that should in no way detract from the brilliance of Rob Cross.

Taylor can't hit the bull and Cross checks out 93 on double 18.

DOES THIS MAN EVER MISS? He's one set away from the crown.

A 66th maximum for Rob Cross. Five more to equal the record for the most in the World Championsip. But will he have time to get there?

We're running out of legs.

Cross leaves 32 and you know what's coming... BOOM. He lands double 16, albeit on the second dart.

Taylor turns to his family and friends, but they're out of ideas too.

Image source, Getty Images

Laura: Is it me or is it ironic that Rob Cross is named “Voltage” considering he’s truly cutting “The Power” at the moment?

Brilliant. Have my job, Laura.

Taylor looks very uncomfortable up on that stage. He needs 85, and leaves double tops with Rob Cross way off in this leg. Maybe he's taking a breather.

Taylor nails double 20 on his first shot and celebrates like he's won the title.

Cross doesn't care though, and it's onto the next leg.

Rob Cross has not averaged below 100 in a single set this evening. The sixth set? A cool 111.

I am describing one of the greatest darting performances of all time. The crowd might not be enjoying this, but I am.

And as I ramble on, that's another leg for Cross as his dart sails into the double 18 bed.

Neil David: Ridiculous level from Cross. Can he maintain it though? Taylor is playing well, averaging over 100 but it's just not enough.

Ben Kramer: Somewhat ironic that Cross is doing to Taylor what Taylor has done to so many before. Forget fairy tales, anyone who beats MVG has probably earned the right to be champion.

Luke Rundle: This is turning into a procession now and Taylor genuinely doesn't know what to do!

Image source, EPA

Same old, same old.

That's another set for Rob Cross. He checks out 84, just as he did in the first leg of the match.

He's rubbing Phil Taylor's nose in it, and the Power's only answer is to talk to the crowd.

Has his head gone?

Image source, Rex Features