Phil Taylor revealed how a humiliating defeat put him on the path to his 14th world title.

The 48-year-old was celebrating last night after an emphatic 7-1 victory over great rival Raymond van Barneveld in the PDC World Championship at Alexandra Palace.

Taylor 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 last night's victory saw Taylor reclaim the title he last won in 2006.

There had been question marks over Taylor's form in recent years, and after crushing those doubts in superb style, he 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."