Phil Taylor picked out the low point in his career after claiming his 14th world title with an emphatic 7-1 victory over great rival Raymond van Barneveld in the Ladbrokes.com World Championship at Alexandra Palace.

It was a consummate display from the 48-year-old, who won the first six legs and never looked like slipping up on his way to a three-dart average of 109.76 - breaking his own record for a major final.

The last time the pair met in a world final two years ago Van Barneveld triumphed, and Sunday night's victory saw Taylor reclaim the title he last won in 2006.

There had been question marks over 'The Power's' form in recent years, and after crushing those doubts in spectacular style, Taylor revealed the turning point had been a defeat in Newcastle.

"Peter Manley gave me a thrashing and I got back on the practice board and figured out what I was doing wrong," he said. "He turned my career around for me."

A focused Taylor began impressively, taking the first leg against the throw, and van Barneveld did not get a look-in until the third set when he finally broke his duck.

The Dutchman won that set and should have levelled but, having forced a deciding leg in the fourth, he could not take advantage.

Van Barneveld's fate was sealed in the fifth set when he won the opening two legs but Taylor stormed back to move 4-1 in front.

To his credit, the second seed never gave up but the weight of the Stoke player's scoring was simply too great as Taylor rattled off the final three sets to seal a memorable victory.

"I feel absolutely fantastic," Taylor told Sky Sports. "I'm over the moon with the score.

"Nine darts would have been nice as well. It didn't come off this time, but next time. I feel very sorry for Raymond but one of us has got to lose and I'm glad it's not me."

Van Barneveld was generous in his praise for Taylor and admitted he had no answers to the maestro's brilliance.

The Dutchman said: "I played a computer. All my congratulations to Phil. He's absolutely brilliant.

"I'll be back, don't worry, but beating this man - I don't know what to do? Practising 10 hours a day is probably not enough."