• PDC World Championship

Van Gerwen targeting Taylor record

Both Michael van Gerwen and Peter Wright are now looking forward to meeting in the Premier League © PA Photos

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Michael van Gerwen has described winning the PDC World Championship as the "best day" of his life so far, and believes he has got plenty more titles in him.

Van Gerwen justified his heavy favourite tag with a 7-4 victory over Peter Wright at Alexandra Palace on Wednesday, although 'Snakebite' proved a dogged opponent on the Ally Pally stage.

The Dutchman now has Phil Taylor's record of 16 world titles firmly in his sights, although admitted he does not think anyone will ever match the Power's successes on stage.

"Yeah it's good, it's been the best day of my life so far," Van Gerwen told ESPN. "There were a few nerves up there, Peter was coming back - I also let him back in the game. I didn't do the right things at the right moments and I wasn't happy with that.

"But what can I say, I'm world champion and world No. 1 at the moment and I'm very glad with that. I've got a lot more in me I hope, but you never know with Phil Taylor. He's won the most majors ever and I don't think anyone's going to get near to him but I'm on my way and I'm trying to do my best."

The first of many for Mighty Mike?

Michael van Gerwen beat Peter Wright 7-4 in the PDC World Championship final © PA Photos

• It was never in doubt that, one day, Michael van Gerwen would win a PDC world championship on the biggest stage in darts.
• Now ESPN's Rob Bartlett thinks there will be a few more to come

Van Gerwen will go on to defend his 2013 Premier League title when the 16-week tournament begins in Liverpool on February 6.

Following his brilliant run in the PDC World Championship, Wright will make his Premier League debut after chairman Barry Hearn confirmed the ten-player line up straight after the final.

Despite feeling disappointed finishing runner-up to the 'Green Machine', Wright maintained he was exceptionally proud of his achievement and was delighted to be told by Hearn he would feature in the Premier League.

"Obviously I'm gutted, because I didn't start playing darts until I was four-nil down," Wright said. "I missed doubles early on, I wasn't scoring as well but I feel over the moon with the support of the crowd and fans and all of them behind me - then I started to play half-decent darts.

"I won't forget that, but now I've been picked for the Premier League I'm going to have ten thousand people screaming my name - that's going to be scary!

"When Barry [Hearn] told me up on stage, he whispered in my ear 'Well done, great performance, loved it - you've just earned yourself a place in the Premier League' - and I was like, 'Thank you, Barry'."

Wright pinpointed 2014 as a big year to further establish himself on the Pro Tour and expects to achieve more success on the big stages. The Brit attracted headlines for using two completely different sets of darts during the biggest event in world darts - and expects to challenge Van Gerwen further once he gets used to his new set.

"That's the first time I've used those darts in a television tournament, so I won't be getting rid of them in a hurry," Wright said. "More practice with them and I expect to be in more finals, more television tournament finals - so Michael, I'm coming after you."

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