Manley, 39, in his first world final, was angry enough to walk off stage without congratulating Taylor on his unprecedented achievement.

Phil Taylor (l) was too much for Peter Manley

"I am absolutely over the moon," said Taylor afterwards.

"I am a bit gutted for Peter Manley. He was a worthy finalist and played well all week.

"What you must remember is all the professionals are winners and Peter deserved to be up here in the final. He was gutted but he came back and shook my hand and that is the end of it.

"It is extra special because it is �50,000 and I do feel sorry for people who had a bet on a nine-darter because with me and Pete I thought it might come."

Manley recovered his poise after Taylor's pinpoint double eight landed the title and came back to accept his �25,000 second prize.

"I have enjoyed it," said Manley.

"I had some hard games to come through and I beat my mate Ronnie Baxter and he would probably have been a better player to beat Phil tonight.

"But Phil is the greatest player ever to walk the earth."

Peter Manley had his work cut out

Taylor beat 'Diamond' Dave Askew 6-4 in his semi-final, while Manley overcame Colin 'Jaws' Lloyd 6-4 to reach his first ever world championship final.

The defending champion, a protege of Eric Bristow, quickly clinched the first set 3-0 as Manley took time to settle.

In the second set Manley missed finishes of double top and then bull to find himself two legs down before a double 10 check-out gave him his first leg.

But Taylor quickly brushed himself down to take the fourth leg for 3-1 and a two-set lead.

Taylor's finishing was proving impeccable and though Manley had his chances, the champion quickly won three unopposed legs for a three-set lead.

Spectacular

Manley maintained his composure and continued scoring heavily.

But Taylor matched him before adding his own lethal finish.

Taylor held a 2-0 lead in the fourth set before uncharacteristically missing a 100 check-out, letting Manley in for his second leg.

But Taylor responded with an 11-dart finish to land the fourth set in spectacular fashion.

Manley was still determined to show he could play and nailed the first leg of the fifth set at the second visit after missing double eight first time around.

But Manley narrowly missed out on a 116 finish in the second leg and Taylor pounced to level it.

Taylor was quick to reinforce his superiority and made it 2-1 before clinching his fifth set.

The favourite wasted no time, wrapping up the sixth set 3-0 as he neared the inevitable.

Manley missed double 10 in the first leg of the seventh set and once again Taylor mopped up for 1-0.

He quickly reached 2-0 before Manley put the celebrations on ice winning the third leg.

But Taylor was in no mood to delay further and quickly finished off Manley.