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The all-Unicorn showdown saw Manley swept aside by the greatest darts star of all time but ‘One Dart’ didn’t do too much wrong. He just couldn’t match Taylor’s power scoring and brilliant finishing.

It is also a 19th World Championship for the Unicorn brand, which continues to rule the roost in the world of darts.

It must have felt like Groundhog Day for ‘The Amarillo Man’ from Carlisle. He was beaten 7-0 by Taylor in the 2002 final – and Manley has now lost three World Championship Finals – all to Taylor.

We should have known it was going to be one of those nights. Taylor sent in a brilliant 170 finish in only the second leg of the match and averaged 113 after the first set.

There was to be no repeat of the semi-final against Wayne Mardle. Taylor looked mean and moody and was at his imperious best. He picks up a cheque for £100,000, while Manley’s consolation is £50,000.

It was also confirmed after the final that Manley’s performance at this year’s World Championships have clinched him a place in the 2006 Premier League, which starts live on Sky Sports in February.

It was an awesome display and when Taylor is firing, there is no player on the planet who can compete.

He said: “It is an unbelievable feeling. It is always hard work playing Peter. I knew I had to set my stall out early but I played some great darts.”

Manley was magnanimous in defeat: “He does it time after time. He was just brilliant but to come second in the biggest darts tournament in the world is a real achievement and I am chuffed to bits.”

Taylor’s good friend – Justin Hawkins from rock band The Darkness – was in the crazy Circus Tavern crowd, as ‘The Power’ reached all the high notes.

Manley produced a 141 check-out in the second set but it wasn’t enough. Sky Sports ‘Voice of Darts’ Sid Waddell described Taylor’s performance as ‘juggernaut tungsten!’

Many people around the venue were saying that they had never seen darts like it.

A 103 check-out clinched the fourth set and it just got better and better. Manley won only six legs in the entire final.

It took just an-hour-and-a-half to put Manley out of his misery and Taylor is already evens with Ladbrokes to win a 14th World title in 12 months time!

It really doesn’t get much better than this. He averaged 107 in the final and his tournament average was 102. Taylor won the match with a classy 98 ‘kill’ and it was time for the celebrations to start, when the final dart smacked into double 12.

So, ‘The Power’ continues to light up the world of darts and if this display is anything to go by, Taylor’s reign will surely go on for some time to come

By Stuart Pyke