Power in shock at Ally Pally mauling

PHIL TAYLOR can experience a rare new year bevvy to see in 2012 — but only to drown his sorrows.

The Power became the victim of the biggest giantkilling in darts history last night, when he was hammered 4-1 by Ally Pally debutant Dave Chisnall.

Questions are already being raised about

what the future holds for the greatest chucker of tungsten the world has ever seen.

He trailed from start to finish and wilted under the lights on stage as he crashed out of the Ladbrokes World Championships.

The result is already being compared to some of the most momentous in sport — including this season's Manchester City 6 Manchester United 1.

Taylor admitted: "It feels like Man City v Man Utd — and I was Man Utd. It was a ricidulous scoreline, 4-1.

"My eyesight is not half as good as it was and the heat got to me on stage, which it never has before.

"It could probably be the end of me, who really knows? Maybe I'm good for another two or three years now and then I'll just slip away quietly. It's getting harder to come back from setbacks. I missed my doubles, simple as that.

"I won't take anything away from Dave. He was brilliant. At times I stood behind him and it was like watching Jocky Wilson.

"I prepared correctly, going to bed early over Christmas and doing what I had to do. I had a bit of a cold last week but that didn't stop me doing anything.

"It's not the end of the world and I'll try even harder to win it next year and get that 16th world title."

Former world champ Ray van Barneveld was knocked out by bricklayer James Richardson in the first round last week but that is a mere tremor compared to the seismic value of Chisnall's triumph against the odds.

The man from St Helens, who two years ago was working in a darts shop, was playing his first match against the most decorated player in the sport.

'Chizzy Rascal', who now faces Stoke's Andy Hamilton, makes his own darts and only joined the PDC via qualifying school in January.

His odds on winning the title and £200,000 at his first attempt were last night slashed to 8-1 — and former BDO world finalist Chisnall insists he can build on his stunning victory.

Chisnall, 31, ended up with eight 180s to Taylor's three. Taylor also missed 21 crucial doubles.

The underdog said: "He conceded the first throw to me backstage before the game. And it was massive I won the first set on my throw. Who knows what might have happened if he hadn't done that?

"I'm over the moon. It's the biggest night of my darts career by a long way.I got a bit jittery towards the end but came through. I can go all the way."

Earlier Belgian KIM HUYBRECHTS dumped Brit Richardson 4-1, while Aussie PAUL NICHOLSONcruised past Alan Tabern 4-0.