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Stoke's world No1 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.

Taylor admitted his 14th world title had been one of the most satisfying, having been in the unusual position of having to wait three years to reclaim the prize. "To win it back again is unbelievable for me, you do doubt yourself and think am I going to win this again," he said. "To get it back I'm absolutely made up."

Taylor revealed he had to stay focused and reveal a ruthless streak to ensure that there was no repeat of his 2007 slip-up against Van Barneveld – one of the greatest matches the sport had produced, which his great rival won 7-6 at the tournament's previous home at the Circus Tavern.

Taylor said that defeat was uppermost in his thoughts when he took to the oche on Sunday and added: "Once I started and I was playing well I thought, 'Don't stop now, don't give him a chance'. As soon as you relax with Raymond he seems to kick in, he gains on your weakness so I thought keep hitting him and keep hitting him because he's like Ricky Hatton and Joe Calzaghe. That's what you have to do to him. It's very cruel but that's what you have to do.

"They are such good players nowadays that what you have to do when you are on stage is put them under pressure and keep them under pressure. The averages have got to be 100-plus or you are going home."

While Taylor displayed some of the best darts of his life at this year's championships, a world title looked a long way off at the beginning of last year, when he showed signs of vulnerability, which were clearly evident when he was thrashed 8-3 by Peter Manley in the Premier League.

Like any true champion Taylor knuckled down and changed his mindset, and used the Manley defeat to his advantage.

"It was the best thing that ever happened to me I think," he said. "Once he (Manley] beats you, he rubs it in your face as well. I've got signed photographs for him because he sells them, but he doesn't half rub it in but I thank him for it in a strange way.

"Now I have to concentrate on defending my world title because there is nothing more important than that."

The beaten, but unbroken 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? Practicing ten hours a day is probably not enough."

In Sunday's final, Taylor set the highest three-dart average for a final, scoring 109.76.

PHIL Taylor remains on course for world title No 14 after his stunning demolition of rising Dutch star Co Stompe at the Alexandra Palace in London.

Taylor's 5-0 thrashing of Stompe takes him through to face Mervyn King in the semi-finals of the PDC Ladbrokes.com world championship.

He finished with a three-dart average of 108.80, the third highest in the tournament's 15-year history.

Stompe won only three legs in the match as Taylor comprehensively avenged the defeat he suffered in the final of the PartyPoker.net German championships in November.

Taylor oozed confidence from the start last night. He gave away the advantage of the throw after winning the pre-match nearest the bulls eye and that decision was soon vindicated.

Stompe started the match with only 59, Taylor replied with 177 and went on to take the opening leg in 14 darts.

Taylor then held his throw and wrapped up the set with an 11 darter.

He handed Stompe a lifeline in the second leg of the second set when three missed darts on a double gave the Dutchman the chance to win his first leg, but a 120 check out put Taylor back on course and he won the set in the deciding leg.

Taylor piled on the misery at the start of the third set – winning the opening leg against the throw, despite Stompe starting with 180 and then hitting two maximums on his way to taking the next leg. There was no way back for Stompe, who won only one more leg.

King, twice a beaten finalist in the BDO world championship, had earlier beaten Barrie Bates 5-2 to set up his last four clash with Taylor.

Bates battled back to level after going 2-0 behind, but then King stepped up a gear.

"I'm happy with the win and my performance was better," said King. "I did enough to get the victory, but I can still improve.

"I should have been 4-0 up really, or at least 3-1, and at two-all I had to find something, and I did that.

"I'm nowhere near my best, but it's there in flashes. I have peaks and troughs in my game anyway and I'm not as consistent as some players, but when I'm at the top of my game I'll beat anybody."

And looking ahead to the Taylor clash, KIng added: "I'm not here to lose in the semi-final, I'm here to win it. I've got it in me and it's got to come out at the right time."

Meanwhile, in tonight's remaining quarter-finals, James Wade takes on Paul Nicholson, while five times world champion Ray van Barneveld goes head-to-head with fellow Dutchman Jelle Klaasen in a repeat of the 2006 BDO world championship final.

"I've never beaten him on TV, but I know if I play my normal game I can beat anyone," said van Barneveld.

"However, Jelle is in good form and I think it will be a good match."