Debutant Cross stuns Taylor at Alexandra Palace
Cross makes 153 checkout to take three-set lead
Taylor's 21st and final World Championship final before retirement
The 57-year-old fails to add to his 16 World Championship titles
Taylor beat Jamie Lewis 6-1 in semi-finals
Cross beat Michael Van Gerwen 6-5 after final set shootout
Sixth set: Cross 2-1 Taylor (4-1)
Taylor is trying to play with the crowd. "He's gone," he says to the masses.
I'm not sure Rob Cross fans will appreciate those tactics.
Taylor is staring defeat in the face, but just as I write him off, the Power checks out 123 to stay in this set.
Sixth set: Cross 2-0 Taylor (4-1)
RELENTLESS.
Rob Cross sets up double tops and nestles his dart in the red bit on his first shot.
Image source, PASixth set: Cross 1-0 Taylor (4-1)
This is going too fast.
Rob Cross has already taken a leg in the sixth set. I can't keep up, and nor can Taylor.
Sixth set: Cross 0-0 Taylor (4-1)
This was meant to be Taylor's party, but someone forgot to tell Rob Cross.
In his very first World Championship, he is playing the darts of his life. Phil Taylor has only won five legs in the match so far.
Cross has a three-set lead. Is it too much even for the 16-time World Champion?
#bbcdarts or text 81111
I think is as it’s a new year that it’s time for a new beginning.. This feels reminiscent of when Federer beat Sampras after a dominate era.. Whoever wins, it will be history making.
IJC London
Enjoying the live updates on the darts on the beach in Mexico.
Simon Prue
#bbcdarts
Ian Shepherd: Rob Cross is unflappable isn't he. The English MVG? Taylor needs the next set otherwise it could get messy.
Darren Sheppard: Too late to change my prediction? Thought so. What a classy finish from Cross. There will be a point where he'll be thinking about the win and if you let Taylor smell blood then watch out! One set at a time..
Robert Wright: Taylor looks distracted and more concerned about playing to the crowd.
Fifth set: Cross 3-0 Taylor (3-1)
I don't think I've ever heard the Ally Pally so quiet. Where have the crowd gone?
Rob Cross adds to their woes by starting the leg with a 180.
Taylor needs to take out 153, but his attempt at double 18 comes up agonisingly short.
And here he is again. Cross checks out double eight to lead by three sets.
Deadly.
Image source, Getty ImagesFifth set: Cross 2-0 Taylor (3-1)
Cross is as cool as anything up on that stage.
Another double 16 and that's two legs on the bounce.
This man is relentless. This man is ruthless.
Image source, Getty ImagesFifth set: Cross 1-0 Taylor (3-1)
And that's just typical.
Rob Cross swoops in to steal the leg on double 16.
Let's all calm down.
Fifth set: Cross 0-0 Taylor (3-1)
NOOOOOOO.
Phil Taylor misses double 12 for a nine-darter.
He's done a Paul Lim, who missed double 12 against Gary Anderson earlier in the tournament.
The wait continues...
Fifth set: Cross 0-0 Taylor (3-1)
The Power is still fighting back. Rob Cross has the throw but Taylor starts the leg with a maximum.
AND THAT'S SIX PERFECT DARTS.
Will we see a nine-dart leg?
Image source, Getty Images#bbcdarts or text 81111
Luke Rundle: Cross is doing to Taylor what Taylor has done to many before. Got to be in the running for greatest debut season in any sport.
Could this be better than Leicester City winning the league?
Image source, Getty Images#bbcdarts
Mark McConnell: Well I don't know much about darts and scored 5 out of 10 on the Phil Taylor quiz. Is that because Taylor is more famous than Darts?
Darren Sheppard: 9/10 on the quiz, it's a little sad that I knew the actual answers on the ones I got right stats wise as well.
Think you can do better than Mark and Darren? Head over to the quiz and find out...
Fifth set: Cross 0-0 Taylor (3-1)
We have a final on our hands. Rob Cross was in danger of running away with it, but never give up on the 16-time World Champion.
The players are off for a break, we all need one after that start.
I'll take a tea please, no sugar.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Fourth set: Cross 0-3 Taylor (3-0)
Taylor is is back in this final! Two darts at double 10 and he only needs one.
The Power's arrogance is back. He struts off the stage and flicks a naughty middle-finger gesture to someone in the crowd.
That man does what he wants.
Fourth set: Cross 0-2 Taylor (3-0)
I got over-excited there. That was only a hold of throw for Taylor. But that's how far behind he is in this game.
The crowd are latching onto anything as the Power knocks in a 174 to leave 50.
Cross is on 127 and misses a shot at the bull.
Taylor's army urges him on and that's double 16 for a second leg in this set.
Is the tide turning?
Image source, Getty ImagesFourth set: Cross 0-1 Taylor (3-0)
Phil Taylor has to stop this, and fast. He's in danger of being completely embarrassed in his last ever game.
The Power is just a passenger in this match at the moment.
AND HE DOES IT.
Out of the blue Taylor checks out 151.
"There's only one Phil Taylor".
Third set: Cross 3-0 Taylor (2-0)
The crowd are trying to rally Phil Taylor.
It's a valiant effort, and Taylor almost obliges, but with two darts in the treble 20, he switches and can only hit 129.
Cross steps up, and HITS A 153 FINISH. Stop it.
Another set for Cross, he leads the 16-time World Champion 3-0.
Image source, Getty ImagesThird set: Cross 2-0 Taylor (2-0)
I've lost count of Rob Cross' maximums already. He's out of control.
He follows up a maximum with a cool 139. (Reminder, we haven't had a nine-darter in this year's World Championship, yet.)
And that's double 16 for the leg. This is getting silly.
Image source, Getty Images