Phil Taylor has declared that the Alexandra Palace crowd played a huge part in helping him win an unprecedented 16th World Championship on Tuesday night.

Michael van Gerwen provided stiff opposition in a tense final and led 4-2 before Taylor stormed back to win four consecutive sets and regain the PDC crown.

Taylor admitted that his first win since 2010 represented the greatest achievement of a stellar career.

He told Sky Sports News: "I am absolutely over the moon, I can't explain how I feel. It's the biggest night of my life.

"I'm 53 next year and I'm coming back to defend a world title. It's ridiculous really.

"I was 2-0 down, then 2-2, then 4-2 down, then 4-4 - I couldn't seem to crack him, and in my mind I'm thinking it's his first time, maybe he'll miss a couple of doubles. All of a sudden my darts that were going on the wire were going in and the crowd got behind me and lifted me, they won it for me tonight."

'The Power's' 16th title win was his third triumph since the event moved to the Ally Pally in North London six years ago.