Michael Smith wins the PDC World Championship for the first time, beating Michael van Gerwen 7-4 in a magnificent final.

Image source, Getty Images

And that is that.

Three days into 2023, and we will do better to see sporting drama better than that for the rest of the year.

Thank you for joining me tonight. I hope I went some way towards doing that match justice.

For now, farewell.

The final count on match 180s? 37.

Smith 22-15 van Gerwen.

Phenomenal.

Smith finished with a match average of 100.87. Throwing a ton average in the World Championship final, fantastic stuff.

Van Gerwen averaged 99.58, he was slightly below his best tonight. And wow, has Smith taken advantage.

Smith becomes the 11th different man to win a PDC World title.

How many more will he get? At 32, he could be around at the very top for a while still.

Smith appeared quite overcome in the post-match interview. He kept trying to talk about faults in his game tonight, however Van Gerwen stepped in to - rightly - talk up how well the new world champion played.

Very classy from Van Gerwen. Both men are a credit to their sport.

Michael Smith speaking to Sky Sports: "This will never be topped. Even if I win a second, this one will never be topped."

2023 PDC World Darts Championship runner-up Michael Van Gerwen: "I think he played really well. Of course I had my chances. But if you don't hit him, he throws everything at you. I thought he played brilliantly all the way through."

"It's part of the job, when we celebrate it's nice, when we lose it's hard. I have to take it on my chin."

Smith then says he doesn't know what to say about his performance.

Van Gerwen: "This man doesn't do himself justice, he played brilliantly."

Image source, Getty Images

New PDC world champion Michael Smith speaking to Sky Sports: "I don't want to start getting into crying and emotions. For once I finally took a chance."

On the nine-dart leg: "I said backstage, what a leg that was! I was missing in practice, but what I wanted to give this crowd what they deserve."

"When I got the Grand Slam, I said I would eventually be world champion. I want to do what this man [van Gerwen] has, and take over this sport."

Lucy Ford: No one can ever say that Michael Smith bottles it in the big games any more, he is the world champion, he is the world number one.

Luke Rundle: Well done to the "Bully Boy" Michael Smith. What a performance, very few do that to MVG, let alone in a world final and to become world number one. Fantastic watch that will never be forgotten.

Just a few months ago, Smith was known for the finals he had lost.

No longer.

Until those final couple of sets, he was nerveless. A superb champion.

The new world number one is then introduced.

Smith hoists the huge trophy aloft, and the tickertape falls.

"Darts is coming home", roars the crowd.

Van Gerwen is presented with a miniature Sid Waddell Trophy, and waves to the crowd.

He is roundly serenaded with chants of his name. Good show.

What a final. That lived up to every possible expectation, and at many points totally surpassed them.

A little kiss for the Sid Waddell Trophy from Smith - then he excitedly points to it, then to his chest.

Yes Michael Smith, you won that!

Image source, Getty Images

Single 16 for Smith... but he buries the double eight!!!

Michael Smith, at the third time of asking, is a world champion.

He immediately runs to his wife and child in the crowd. Magnificent scenes.

Smith doesn't get the 9-darter, but he only needs D16...

And he throws another 180!!!

9-darter for the title?

Smith is throwing for the world title - and pulls out a 180!