Van Gerwen - darts king of Blackpool (with final video)

Having lost out to Taylor on the Winter Gardens stage two years ago, van Gerwen followed up his 2015 success against James Wade by defeating the 15-time World Champion with a clinical display, hitting two-third of his darts at doubles alongside 12 maximums.

The triumph sees van Gerwen become only the third player - alongside Taylor and Rod Harrington - to retain the prestigious World Matchplay title, as he retained the trophy and pocketed a £100,000 first prize as he won a 12th tournament of 2016.

"It feels amazing to win this title again," said van Gerwen. "I think I played well all through the tournament and I dominated the final - against Phil you always need to step up a bit and I did.

"To beat Phil is always nice because he's a legend and I've got so much respect for him. He knows that and that makes it even better to win this trophy by beating him.

"Phil gave me a chance and he knows that if he gives me a chance I'll take them, and my confidence was there. He's never lost in a World Matchplay final so you know you need to play well, and I did that.

"I think I won this title quite comfortably but I did the right thing at the right moments in this tournament and I didn't make a lot of mistakes. I think I'm the best but you need to show it on that stage, especially in moments like that.

"I'm a really happy man to retain this title, it means a lot to me."