Media playback is not supported on this device Rob Cross: From £7 to £400,000 world darts champion

Debutant Rob Cross sealed the PDC World Championship title as 16-time champion Phil Taylor's final appearance ended in a 7-2 defeat at Alexandra Palace.

Cross, 27, who only turned professional at the start of 2017, hit a 167 to go 2-0 up and was soon three sets ahead.

Taylor, 57, who won his last world title in 2013, won 10 legs and had 12 180s in the match, one more than Cross.

But he had no answer to Cross, who won the tournament in fantastic style with a 140 finish.

The pattern of the match was established in the opening set when sixth seed Taylor narrowly missed a 147 checkout but then squandered three more darts as Cross settled into a lead he never looked like surrendering.

After his superb 167, Cross maintained the momentum with a 153 to seal the second.

With both the capacity crowd and Taylor looking bewildered by the brilliance of former electrician Cross, the Stoke veteran finally put a set on the board when he recorded his highest finish of the tournament with a 151, and went on to take it 3-0.

Taylor then missed double 12 for a nine-darter and failed to finish with his next three attempts as Cross restored a three-set cushion.

Only one set from defeat, Taylor, who had an overall scoring average of 102, took the eighth set after an isolated blip from Cross, who missed with three darts at 30.

But Hastings-based Cross had a match average of 107 and secured the title in memorable fashion with two treble 18s and a double 16.

Taylor had two checkouts over 100, with Cross having one more

'It was an old man against a young man, a mis-match'

Following his comprehensive defeat, Taylor lifted the trophy in jovial style and said of his time at the top in world darts: "It's been marvellous. I've had a fantastic career, [with] the youngsters coming through I just can't do it any more."

Cross said: "I feel great but it's Phil's last year and it's about him departing. That's why I let him lift the trophy.

"It was my dream to play him 15 years ago and now I have. I was actually born in 1990 when he won his first title."

Taylor added: "I tried my best but he was like me 25 years ago, he was relentless and didn't stop putting me under pressure.

"He's dedicated, he's listened, learned and the players next year have got a big problem.

"You've got someone who wants to win, I don't think the money with him is going to make a scrap of difference, you've got a little animal on your hands.

"It was like an old man against a young man, it was a mis-match. That's it for me because I haven't got the energy or interest to beat Michael van Gerwen or him [Cross]."

Taylor's place in history

Taylor's win in 1995 was the first of eight consecutive world title victories for the Stoke-on-Trent thrower

Few people have dominated and shaped their sport like Phil "The Power" Taylor.

From Stoke-on-Trent, he won the first of his world titles in 1990 when part of the British Darts Organisation, then the only major darts circuit.

He was one of 16 players that formed the breakaway World Darts Council in 1992, the company which became the PDC and held its own version of the world championship in 1994.

Having announced in January that 2017 would be his final year on the PDC circuit, Taylor has reduced his playing commitments over the past year.

But he has still been a regular in the latter stages of major tournaments and in July rediscovered his imperious best form as he clinched a 16th World Matchplay title.</s>This time last year, Rob Cross was sitting at home watching the World Darts Championship - now he is world champion.

Cross beat retiring great Phil 'The Power' Taylor 7-2 at the Alexandra Palace on Tuesday Morning (NZ time) to cap off a magical year for the former electrician.

He is the eighth person to lift the trophy in the 25-year history of the PDC championships and the first man to win the PDC tournament on his debut since Raymond van Barneveld in 2007.
• As it happened: PDC World Darts Championship final - Phil Taylor vs Rob Cross
• Five reasons to watch the 2018 Darts World Championships

Taylor, 57, who won his last title in 2013, won 10 legs and had 12 180s in the match, one more than Cross.

But he was no match for the 27-year-old who dominated the match, averaging 107.43 compared to Taylor's 102.26, while hitting 58.28 percent of his doubles while Taylor hit 45.45 percent.

"I feel great, but I got to say I won my first world title, but it's about him departing. It was my dream 15 years ago to play this guy and now I played him - absolutely phenomenal," Cross said after the match.</s>Rob Cross is the new P-D-C World Darts champion – in his debut year as a professional.

The first year pro came up against the most successful darts player in history Phil Taylor,

 With more here’s Dan Dawson…</s>Taylor, 57, lost the opening three sets to Rob Cross before fighting back to win the fourth.



He launched his darts at the board after wrapping up the set before walking off the stage for a TV advert break.



But as he did so he was barracked by an Alexandra Palace supporter, prompting Taylor to stop to confront the fan.



After something was shouted TV cameras showed Taylor put up his middle finger before walking off.



The PDC World Championship final is Taylor's last as a professional player before he retires.

Darts fans were warned by Wayne Mardle not to ruin the PDC World Darts Championship final.



A sell-out crowd of 3,500 crammed into the Alexandra Palace tonight to watch Taylor take on Rob Cross.



It's Taylor's last ever match as he hangs up his darts following this year's tournament.



Before that he has the chance to win his 17th world title but there were worries in the build-up over the behaviour of supporters.



Fans booed and whistled while Michael van Gerwen threw for the match against Cross in the semis.



It forced the Dutchman to miss six darts at a double to win it and Sky Sports pundit Wayne Mardle has blasted the antics.

He said: "Maybe he would have missed anyway but we don't know that.



"In commentary I called them stupid and I still stick by it. There's no need for it, there's absolutely no need.



"Do they not know what they are watching?



"They pay their money and have a good time but come on, respect the players.



"They are up there for entertainment, they are not up there to be shouted at or whistled at under extreme pressure. It's not fair."</s>You wouldn’t have found many darts fans who would know the name Rob Cross this time last year, but on New Year’s Day he managed to beat the legendary Phil Taylor to win the PDC World Championship on his very first attempt.

The young darts player managed to win 7-2 during the clash at Alexandra Palace, and managed to get an initial three set lead during the contest.

The 27-year-old from Pembury, Kent, only became a professional player at the start of 2017, but his incredible form this year saw him enter the 2018 World Championship as world number 20.

There was a lot of hype surrounding Cross coming into the tournament and he has lived up to it, beating reigning champion and world number one Michael van Gerwen in the semi-finals, in one of the greatest matches ever seen on the oche.

He then faced 16-time world champion Phil Taylor in the final in Taylor’s final professional match.

Cross had dabbled in pro darts before 2017, competing in the 2015 BDO World Masters, losing in the last 48. He also entered the 2016 UK Open as an amateur qualifier, losing in the last 32 to Van Gerwen.

Throughout 2016 he played on the PDC Challenge Tour – tournaments organised for players without a Pro Tour Card – and he won three of the 16 events, losing in two more finals.

This saw him top the Challenge Tour Order of Merit and earn his Pro Tour card for 2017.

Cross was formerly an electrician, which is where his nickname ‘Voltage’ comes from and why he walks on to Arrow’s Hot Hot Hot.

He left his job in 2016 to concentrate on his darts career and he has not looked back since.

There was certainly no time for anything else in 2017 as Rob Cross entered 52 tournaments in the lead up to the 2018 World Championships.

Voltage won four of these and reached three more finals, including the European Championship, which was his first appearance in the final two of a major.

This incredible success saw him earn £211,250 and rocket up the world rankings to number 20, making him a seeded player for the World Championship.

Cross beat Seigo Asada, Michael Smith, John Henderson and Dimitri van den Bergh before meeting Van Gerwen in the semis where he edged out the Dutchman 6-5 in one of the all-time great matches.

The historic win at the PDC Final means he has become the ninth man to win a darts world title at the first time of asking, following in the footsteps of Leighton Rees, Keith Deller, Taylor, Dennis Priestley, John Part, Richie Burnett, Jelle Klaasen and Christian Kist.

The 27-year-old is married to wife Georgia who he lives with in Hastings along with his three children Leyton, Imogen and Maddison.

With the World Championship winner taking home £400,000, that home in Hastings might be about to get a few improvements.

MORE: Phil Taylor net worth: How much has The Power earned from darts?

MORE: Liverpool plan to demand whopping transfer fee for Philippe Coutinho after Barcelona blunder</s>We'll leave the last word to Phil Taylor, whose darts career is now over. "It's been marvellous. I've had a fantastic career. "The crowds have been fantastic. The youngsters that are coming through now are fantastic, dedicated, fit and I can't compete with them. "Barry Hearm would love me to carry on, Sky would but I can't do it anymore - I'd love to." More from Cross. He's thanked his uncle, who persuaded him to play a UK qualifier in 2016 to kickstart his career, after the win.



He said: "I owe him a lot, I really do. If he didn't drag me out of bed that day I wouldn't be here.



"I have to admit the final was a dream to play Phil, I always wanted to play Phil, "You won't see another sportsman like him.



"I'd like to thank my family and friends, for their support, and my sponsors have been brilliant this year. Without my sponsors, I don't think I'd have been so relaxed.



"I'd also like to thank Barry Hearn for giving me this opportunity."

PHIL TAYLOR hails Rob Cross... "When I first started I thought I'd lose 7-0. As soon as I took a set I wanted to make it respectable to push him, make him think a little bit but it didn't happen.



"I'm at the end of my career, he's at the beginning and it was a mismatch really. He's a brilliant player. 



"I tried my best, I really did. I'm so pleased that's it for me because i don't have the energy to beat him, Van Gerwen or Adrian Lewis anymore.



"it's weird to say that because it's been my life for 30 years and my grandkids have come and seen their grandad get their backside smacked really."



"I tried my best but I didn't have that push against him.



"He was relentless, he didn't stop putting me under pressure, that's what I was like when I was younger.



"He's a lot like myself, he's dedicated, he's listened and learnt and the players have got a big problem.



"Michael van Gerwen, Barney, Adrian Lewis, you've got someone now who is dedicated and wants to win. "I don't think the money makes a scrap of difference, he's an animal. He's got that grit in his teeth." ROB CROSS has spoken...



"I feel great but what I've got to say is this is Phil's last year "It's about him departing, that's why i let him lift the trophy with me "It was my dream 15 years ago to play this guy and now i've played him, absolutely phenomenal. "I was born in 1990 so the coincedence maybe there when he won his first world title when I took my first breath. "What he's done for the game, I hope he has a happy retirement. I wish him all the best, he's brilliant, absolutely brilliant.

Taylor farewell Great scenes on stage as both players receive their trophies and Cross even lets Taylor lift the title for one last time. Taylor doesn't loko to fussed at losing and is instead just lapping up the applause from the crowd. "There's only one Phil Taylor..." Paddy Power are offering odds of Taylor to win at 13/1! He couldn't, could he? Cross has three darts at double tops but only needs one to win the opening leg. He's one leg away and will now throw for the title. Cross has done it with a 140 checkout! WOW. WOW. WOW! Taylor fluffs his lines at a 141 checkout but gets another chance to finish on 47. He's not going down without a fight as he gets another leg under his belt in this eighth set. Cross can't checkout on 30 and the crowd love it. Taylor capitalises and gets another set on the board. Cross is not missing double 18, or any for that matter and he puts another leg on the board. The Power levels by hitting double tops at the first attempt and raises his arms to the crowd. Hes enjoying himself regardless of the score. Cross then checks out on 32 at the second attempt. Taylor hits a 180 but can't check out on 161. Cross hits double 18 AGAIN to go within one set of being crowned champion. More maximums from Cross and he's owning that stage as he takes the first leg. He's averaging 109. A tenth maximum takes him to an average of 110. Incredible. Double tops at the first attempts takes him 2-0 up. However, Cross holds his nerve and checks out on 84. He's two sets away from making history.

Taylor hits eight perfect darts straight from the break but misses double 12 by the smallest of margins! SO CLOSE TO A NINE-DARTER. Remarkably, Cross wins the leg. Cross follows it up with an 11-dart leg. He is feeling no pressure whatsoever up there. The crowd are stunned as Taylor misses 153 to pull a leg back. Cross hits double 8 in response to go 4-1 up. Taylor finally gets a leg, checking out on 151 to a massive cheer from the crowd. Cross misses the bull and Taylor responds to win consecutive legs for the first time in the match. Taylor is on the board with his first set. How will Cross react to that then? Another 180 from Cross sends him on his way to hold throw with a 36 checkout. Cross is on fire, hitting five perfect darts in the second leg. A 52 checkout makes it an 11-dart leg for the 27-year-old. Sloppy from Taylor as he misses a 150 checkout and Cross once again punishes him with a 153 checkout. Taylor has no answers at the moment. Taylor opens the second set with a 177 in a leg that Cross also hits 180. There's even a fist bump between the pair in a slightly bizarre exchange as they share a joke before Cross hits double 16. Turns out Cross spilt his drink as Taylor took his throw. Remember cough gate? Let's not go back there with drink gate. Cross isn't lacking any confidence, checking out on 88 this time to move 2-0 up in the second set. Taylor needs this one. And he does just that, checking out on double tops. Taylor hits a 180 but Cross silences him with a 167 checkout by hiting the bull. Stunning darts.

First leg goes to Cross as he checks out on 84, getting double 18 at his first attempt. Some bad luck in the second leg sees Cross' dart bounce off the board and Taylor records a 46 checkout to level the scores. Cross hits two maximums in the third on his way to wrapping up a 12-dart leg. Taylor goes close with a 147 checkout and then misses the chance to finish on 36. Cross punishes him and takes the first set. Remember, it's the best of 13 sets and we could be in for a long evening. Not that we mind. What else are you supposed to doing on New Year's Day? It's only the walk on song but it's Taylor's last entrace to the oche. No tears yet, from Taylor that is, not me, obviously. The 57-year-old is relishing every moment of it and even stops to take a selfie and sign autographs for his fans.

Rob Cross was asked to describe Phil Taylor in one word. "Don't get me wrong, It's Phil Taylor's last year and it's going to be the first time I play him. "He's truly amazing for what he's done for the sport but I've got to be right at the same time and I've got a match to win. "It's going to be hard to separate the two but it's got to happen that way." You’ll be a legend too if you pull this off, Cross. Just a reminder there is £400,000 at stake tonight for the winner, with the runner-up getting a cool £170,000. And Cross only earned his first £250 as a professional in February. As pay-rises go, that's a good one. Not long until both players make their way through the crowd to the oche. Everyone knows Phil Taylor’s ‘The Power’ walk on song but what about Rob Cross? His choice of walk-on music is ‘Hot Hot Hot’ by Arrow. Wondering how many pints of beer have been been consumed so far? Or how about how many 180’s have been thrown in this remarkable tournament? Well Sky Sports presenter Dave Clark has crunched the numbers for us. Ever the gentleman or years of experience? Maybe the mind games have started already. Phil Taylor has won the pre-match Bull-up and has given the throw to Rob Cross. Ladies and Gentleman, and all the millions watching around the world, welcome to Express Sport's LIVE coverage of the William Hill PDC World Darts Championship final from Alexandra Palace, LONDONNNNNN! Ok, I'm no MC like John McDonald but the final is here and there is plenty of excitement building! Or is Rob Cross going to rip up the script and send the veteran packing, just like he did with Michael van Gerwen. We'll be finding out soon enough with both players due to the oche at approximately 8pm.</s>Phil Taylor plays his last ever PDC World Darts Championship match this evening

The 16-time world champion is currently preparing for his final ever match when he takes to the oche to face Rob Cross in tonight’s final at Alexandra Palace.

Millions are expected to tune in to see if Taylor gets his fairytale ending and none more so than two-time World Championship runner-up Bobby George.

But the former darts player is currently waiting to be discharged from hospital following a chest infection.

And on Twitter George revealed Taylor has boosted his spirits with a call to see how he is.</s>Rob Cross beat Phil Taylor 7-2 to win the 2018 PDC World Darts Championship and £400,000 in prize money at London's Alexandra Palace on New Year's Day. Taylor took the £170,000 due the runner-up, but the 16-time champion could not retire on a high note after being overwhelmed by his younger opponent.

Cross raced into a three-set lead thanks to the way he dealt with pressure. Sky Sports Darts detailed how the Voltage held his nerve to hold throw at a key moment in the second set:

A 167 checkout of treble-20, treble-19 and bull made it 2-0, before Cross took the third. Taylor was reeling but pinned a brilliant 151 checkout to send him on the way to a whitewash in the fourth set.

The Power was starting to up his game, but a narrow miss on double-12 for a nine-darter proved decisive in the next set, one Cross took to restore his lead. Live Darts showed how steady scoring was keeping Cross in front:

Yet another break of throw put Cross two up in the sixth before Taylor wired a critical 123 to stay in touch. However, Cross wrapped an 84 checkout on double-18 to move four sets ahead.

Double-18 proved the ticket for Cross again when he held throw at the start of the seventh before Taylor hit tops to claim the next leg. The pressure intensified on Taylor after Cross wired double-16 to move within a leg of winning a sixth set.

It was 6-1 after Cross hit treble-19 and one more double-18.

Taylor wasn't about to go quietly in his final match, though, and twice hit double-16 to go two legs in front in the eighth. Winning the set was the closest Taylor would get, as Cross took out treble-18 twice before pinning double-16 to seal the title.

Afterwards, Cross saluted Taylor's mark on the sport:

His win means Taylor is denied the fairytale finish many would have felt his decorated career deserves. PDC Darts still took a moment to sum up Taylor's staggering list of achievements:

The Power leaves the stage knowing he helped make darts better and grow the sport's appeal, as well as becoming the player against whom all future champions will be judged.</s>Rob Cross beats 16-time world darts champion Phil 'The Power' Taylor 7-2 to win first world title

It's lights out for "The Power".

There was no fairytale ending to the incredible darts career of Phil Taylor, with the game's most successful player losing the world championship final in his last ever match in London.

Taylor, a 16-time world champion nicknamed The Power, was thrashed 7-2 by former electrician Rob "Voltage" Cross, 27, who was playing his first world final in his first year as a professional.

The 57-year-old Taylor won his world titles between 1990 — the year Cross was born — and 2013, including eight straight from 1995.

Cross and Taylor lifted the trophy together as the crowd at Alexandra Palace chanted Taylor's name.

Cross — who had stunned defending world champion Michael van Gerwen in a classic semi-final — averaged more than 107 in the final.

The debutant was almost nerveless on the big stage at the "Ally Pally", nailing big finishes of 167, 153 and 140 in a dominant performance.

He finished with six perfect darts — five straight treble 18s, leaving a double 16 which he hit to seal the title.

"He was like me 25 years ago," Taylor said.

"It was like I was at the end of my career and he's at the beginning.

"It was an old man against a young man.

"It was mismatch really … I didn't have the energy to beat him."</s>Phil Taylor is playing his last ever match before retiring but will it be the fairytale ending he deserves?

Standing in his way is 27-year-old Rob Cross, who was relatively unknown in the darting sphere this time last year.

Cross was an electrician before quitting in 2016. He then entered the amateur qualifiers for the UK Open that year before he was knocked out by Michael van Gerwen.

Darts then became his priority and he’s gone on to earn £211,250 playing the sport.

Sixteen-time world champion Taylor will be looking to end his career on a high though, but knows Cross will be no easy match after he dispatched reigning champion Michael van Gerwen in the semi-final.

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In darts, Rob Cross wins the PDC World Darts Championship (on his debut) defeating Phil Taylor (in his last career match) 7–2 in the final.