2317: One last point before we leave the Circus Tavern for another year. Referring back to this very page on December 17, our very own darts expert Reece Killworth predicted the very scenes we saw with our own eyes this evening. Barney did indeed dance like your dad as he celebrated edging out Taylor, who was dignified in defeat, and Sid Waddell rather more predictably waxed lyrical over the ensuing celebrations. 28pts profit too, nice dream...

2300: And Barney prevails in an all-time darts classic, what a final between two darting legends. Taylor looks truly gutted that he's failed to win a 14th title, but Barneveld is ecstatic at his fifth and first under the PDC banner. What a night. 21 180's from the Dutchman in a match that had everything, and he's a fitting champion.

2255: The venue may be the circus but there's no clowns on the oche this evening, just two wizards throwing magic darts. It's 5-5 in the last and sudden death looms... Barney nails the bullseye and gets to throw first...

2224: Taylor shows all his class to make it 6-6 and the thriller we were promised is in full flow. I wouldn't like to pick a winner from here.

2215: Barney's just nailed his 16th 180, twice as many as Taylor and this is phenomenal. And then he checks out on 121 to go within a leg of claiming the world title from Taylor...

2155: What a comeback from Raymond van Barneveld! It's effectively now best of three as Barney makes it 5-5!

Taylor cannot believe it - van Barneveld has lifted his game superbly here.

I'm sweating almost as much as the pair of them out there, what a match!

2138: This is fantastic entertainment as van Barneveld reduces the deficit once again.

It's a shame this has to end when someone gets to seven, it would be great if this could go on all night.

What a tournament this has been - with the exception of the semi-finals - and if Barney can get back onto level terms in the next set, we could be in for some night.

2123: Taylor restores the two set advantage with some tremendous darts.

You can see how much it means to him as he gestures to the crowd in celebration.

Van Barneveld will have to show the same determination and spirit evident in his comeback against Colin Lloyd in the second round.

What a standard of darts we are seeing here - Barney had an average of 104 in this set but still lost. Incredible!

2113: Well, Barney takes the seventh set 3-0 and all of a sudden, it is Taylor who looks a bit lost.

He didn't even have to change his shirt either.

Van Barneveld is playing as if he is standing just inches away from the board - every dart is going exaclty where he wants it to.

The atmosphere is fantastic here, you'd think we were in Holland when the crowd roars for Barney. This has to be the sporting event of the year so far...

2102: The change of shirt works wonders for Taylor as he goes 4-2 up on the Dutchman.

He even gives us a celebratory shuffle - he seems a completely different person to the one we seen so angry just a few weeks ago.

Maybe van Barneveld should change shirts too in the hope of pulling this match back.

2051: The comeback is on as Barney somehow pulls it back to 3-2.

The Barney Army are loving it and are in full voice now.

Our darts man Reece is starting to look like an ace tipster, having gone for van Barneveld to win at the beginning of the tournament.

Taylor is obviously riled - off comes the bright orange shirt to be replaced by a simple white and black effort.

2046: The commentary of Sid Waddell is almost as entertaining as the action in the Circus Tavern.

"If a tiger comes to tea, you don't put sauce on yourself" he cries as van Barneveld misses a crucial double.

I'm still not sure exactly what he meant but a great comment nonetheless.

2036: Barney's back in it! The big Dutchman finishes from 170 to take the fourth set!

Awesome stuff from Barney - he even gets applause and a handshake from Taylor.

Van Barneveld seems to be finding his form now and this could be ready to become the spectacle we all hoped for here.

The action is hotting up now and the sweat is dripping from both players.

2027: What an anti-climax this is turning out to be!

Taylor will be home in time for Match of the Day if he keeps this form up. He's now 3-0 up and looking on fire!

He is racking up the 180's and van Barneveld looks unusually lost.

Taylor is playing an almost perfect game at the moment - this could be a rare victory for an Englishman in a major sporting event...

2007: The atmosphere is electric in Purfleet and it's the man in the orange shirt who has made the flying start at the Circus Tavern, but surprisingly, that is not van Barneveld.

Taylor is sporting a bright shirt in the colour of the Dutch flag and you would have thought that would have spurred 'Barney' on but 'The Power' has taken the first two sets in style.

I wonder what our 'darts expert' Reece will make of it, having tipped van Barneveld in his betting preview...