Summary

  • Peter Wright beats Michael Smith to win second title

  • Smith 5-7 Wright

  • Scotland's Wright storms back from 5-4 down to take trophy

  • Wright, 51, won the 2020 title, beating Michael van Gerwen after finishing runner-up to him in 2014

  • Smith, 31, was also beaten by Van Gerwen in the 2019 showpiece

Live Reporting

Michael Beardmore

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  2. Siân Price
    BBC Sport at Alexandra Palace

    Smith takes the lead in the match for the first time in this race to seven sets. I don't think there is any chance of another broken hand tonight during the interval for the man from St Helens.

    Bully Boy punched a wall during an interval in his final defeat by Michael van Gerwen three years ago - but he's punching the air in delight right now.

  3. Smith leads for first time

    Smith 4-3 Wright

    What a set from Bully Boy, he wins it three-zip, the first shut-out of the final.

    The confidence is oozing out of him - 93 finish? No problem. Treble 19, double 18, boom.

    He'd have taken 10 darts to finish that an hour ago. But those butterflies have vanished and Smith is flying.

  4. Smith 3-3 (2-0) Wright

    Smith cruises to a hold of throw and the Ally Pally crowd is chanting his name.

    Darts crowd.Getty Images

  5. All level

    Siân Price
    BBC Sport at Alexandra Palace

    Although the scores are level, Smith is averaging 100 for the match compared to around 97 currently for Wright.

  6. Bully Boy breaks throw

    Smith 3-3 (1-0) Wright

    Michael Smith is within four sets of not just a first World title, but a first major PDC title.

    He's always been the nearly man - can he shake off that tag in the biggest tournament of them all?

    Well, Lady Luck is on his side at the start of set seven - he misses two darts at tops but Wright finds the wire with three attempts at D11 and Smith breaks throw by landing D20 at the third attempt.

  7. Smith levels up at 3-3

    Smith 3-3 Wright

    Yep. Smith can even afford two missed darts at D8, Wright was that far back in that leg.

    Third time lucky and we're level again.

  8. Smith 2-3 (2-1) Wright

    Snakebite threatens a 170 checkout but misses the second treble and Michael Smith tidies up on double tops.

    And now he's ahead on Wright's throw - three sets each incoming?

  9. Despite winning that fifth set, Peter Wright has changed his darts... again! That's the second time tonight already!

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  10. Smith 2-3 (1-1) Wright

    Indeed, a hearty round of applause greets Wright's D8 for a routine hold to level the sixth set up at one leg apiece.

  11. Stand up if you love the darts

    Siân Price
    BBC Sport at Alexandra Palace

    The crowd are clearly loving the darts thrown tonight. Thankfully the boos for Wright we heard earlier are much more subdued now and the crowd are letting the players play their best game.

  12. Smith 2-3 (1-0) Wright

    The nerves of those opening set seem to have disappeared.

    Both players are landing doubles confidently now - Michael Smith hits D16 at the first time of asking to edge ahead in set six.

  13. Get Involved

    #bbcdarts or Text 81111 (UK only - texts will be charged at your standard message rate)

    Darren S: Smith just hit his 72nd 180 of the tournament. I've hit 9 in my entire life.. he's suddenly hitting doubles too, we have a real game on now!

    In fairness, Darren, you've hit nine more than me... and I imagine I'm not alone...

  14. Wright wins fifth set

    Smith 2-3 Wright

    Peter Wright.Getty Images

    Wright misses bullseye for the set but Smith cannot capitalise and Snakebite takes out 25 with single 9, double 8 to take an incredibly closely-contested fifth set.

  15. A big 140 from Wright leaves him on 88.

    Smith responds with a 140 - he's on 106.

  16. Smith 2-2 (2-2) Wright

    All square after four sets and four legs!

    Smith hits D6 to comfortably hold his throw.

    Can Wright hold his throw to win the set?

  17. Records broken!

    Siân Price
    BBC Sport at Alexandra Palace

    Michael Smith has now set a new record of the most 180's in a World Championship with 72 thrown. Gary Anderson held the previous record of 71.

  18. Smith breaks back

    Smith 2-2 (1-2) Wright

    Anything you can do...

    Michael Smith answers Peter Wright's 11-dart break of throw with one of his own.

    Spellbinding stuff this.

  19. Get Involved

    #bbcdarts (UK only - texts will be charged at your standard message rate)

    Andy Sykes: My wife predicted the correct scores of both semi-finals yesterday - unfortunately she only bet about 50p on each. She's upped the ante with £5 tonight on Smith 7-5.

  20. Wright breaks

    Smith 2-2 (0-2) Wright

    Wow, what a retort from Snakebite since the interval.

    He breaks the Smith throw with an 11-dart leg, finishing on D9, and is throwing to regain the lead in this thrilling final.