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
Third set: Cross 1-0 Taylor (2-0)
51 from Cross, 45 from Taylor. Not a vintage start to the third set.
But Cross recovers with a maximum. Phew, I thought we were getting sloppy there.
Cross is currently averaging 108, with Taylor back on 98.
Voltage has 94 but with Taylor back on 199 he sets up a double 18 finish.
Three darts in hand, and he needs just one. WOW.
Third set: Cross 0-0 Taylor (2-0)
If you're just tuning in, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?
Rob Cross is off, and he's almost away.
He leads 16-time World Champion Phil Taylor by two sets to nil, the second of which he won on a 167 finish.
This man is cool as ice. Taylor is flapping.
Image source, Getty ImagesYes, these breaks are rather long. So how about taking our quiz?
How well do you know Phil 'The Power' Taylor?
It's pretty tough, I'm warning you.
Let me know how you get on.
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’.
Phil needs all the help he can get at the moment...
#bbcdarts
Neil David: What's with the excessively long breaks after each set? Unnecessary. Get on with it!
Phil: I still don’t understand how darts has ever got this big!!! But I will still follow with high interest
That would be Phil Taylor...
Second set: Cross 3-1 Taylor (1-0)
THAT IS RIDICULOUS.
Rob Cross checks out a 167 to win the second set at a canter.
Is he the next World Champion?
Image source, PASecond set: Cross 2-1 Taylor (1-0)
The crowd are eerily silent, they can feel the tension.
Until... Taylor fires in a maximum and checks out on double tops.
That was slightly more routine from the Power. But it's Rob Cross to throw for the set.
Image source, Getty ImagesSecond set: Cross 2-0 Taylor (1-0)
Cross is on fire and well on his way to a second successive set.
He needs double two... and it's in the bed.
WOW.
#bbcdarts or text 81111
I'm at work in the control room of a chemical plant. One eye on the plant monitors and the other on the darts. Come on Taylor.
Albert, West Yorkshire.
Second set: Cross 1-0 Taylor (1-0)
Phil Taylor starts the second set with a cool 177.
A little boo from the crowd when they realise he won't make a nine-darter and that's a poor visit from the Power, who only hits 67.
Rob Cross chimes in with another 180 to put pressure on Taylor, who messes up a 132 checkout.
Cross has two darts to break at double 16 but misses both before Taylor also fails to hit double tops.
And Voltage doesn't need asking twice. Cross breaks again.
#bbcdarts
Mark Armitage: Following the final from work in Vermont. Remember Phil's first. Hope to see his last tonight. C'mon the Power!
Jack Russel: I'll go 7-4 Taylor.
Helles Mammut: The truth is: None of us would be watching if it weren't for Phil Taylor and what he has done for the sport...
That first set was electric.
Rob Cross is not messing about on his doubles. A break of throw means he takes the opening set 3-1 and the crowd are stunned.
Can he spoil Taylor's retirement party?
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’.
App users may need to click on the link.
First set: Cross 3-1 Taylor
But Taylor has come to the party. The Power hits his first 180 of the final.
He almost takes out a 147 finish but his attempt at double 18 hits the wire. And the 16-time world champ goes to pot on his next visit, hitting double 1 before messing up double 17, twice!
Cross has two darts at double 16 to break Taylor, but he only needs one.
CROSS WINS THE OPENING SET!
Image source, Getty ImagesFirst set: Cross 2-1 Taylor
Rob Cross hits his 56th 180 of the tournament. Can he set the record for the most maximums at a World Championship? It's currently held by Gary Anderson on 71.
Oh AND ANOTHER. Two maximums for Cross in one leg.
He misses double 20 but hits the double 10 for a 12-dart leg.
An electric start to this final.
Image source, Getty ImagesFirst set: Cross 1-1 Taylor
STAND UP IF YOU LOVE THE DARTS. Go on, the crowd are demanding it.
Meanwhile at the oche, Taylor is going well in this leg.
He's left 46, and hits double 16 with his second dart.
Easy.
Phil Taylor has the edge on the doubles. Will that be the decisive factor?
Image source, Getty ImagesFirst set: Cross 1-0 Taylor
Cross is the first man to a finish. He has to take out 164 and manages to leave 84 with Taylor back on 231.
The World Championship debutant steps back up the oche and he needs double 18 for the first leg.
BOOM. Rob Cross takes the opening leg.
First set: Cross 0-0 Taylor
It's Rob Cross with the first darts of the World Championship final and he hits 100.
Phil Taylor follows up with another ton. Decent start from both.
"There's only one Phil Taylor, one Phil Taylor, walking along, singing his song, walking in a Taylor wonderland."
That's what the crowd is singing, and I'm sure you are too.
Right, let's get this started.