Result: Michael van Gerwen 7-3 Michael Smith
Van Gerwen wins third title in his fourth final
Van Gerwen took initial four-set lead before Smith battled back
Michael van Gerwen beats Michael Smith 7-3 to win his third world title
And that is the end of this live text.
Michael van Gerwen, just as he was in 2014 and 2017, is the world champion as he beats Michael Smith 7-3 to win his third world title.
Thank you for joining us and for your comments. Until next time, bye for now.
Image source, PAMichael van Gerwen beats Michael Smith 7-3 to win his third world title
More from Barry Hearn on Sky Sports: "The world is opening up for us. Darts is played at a good pace. Anyone can play, it’s a level playing field. All these countries (that are taking the television coverage) can't quite believe it with the fans especially.
"We are becoming the people’s choice for an entertaining sport. With the new prize money levels it's a very good time to become a darts player."
Michael van Gerwen beats Michael Smith 7-3 to win his third world title
PDC chairman Barry Hearn speaking to Sky Sports: "We’ve had it all this year. Shocks and surprises, kids living the dream and coming from nowhere including Luke Humphries and Nathan Aspinall. We've also seen shock seeds going out.
"This is a seismic change for darts as we become truly global game."
Michael van Gerwen beats Michael Smith 7-3 to win his third world title
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It is a farewell appearance for Van Barneveld, who has announced this will be his final year in the sport.
Michael van Gerwen beats Michael Smith 7-3 to win his third world title
Image source, Getty ImagesNumber one seed Michael van Gerwen held off England's Michael Smith to win a third PDC World Championship title with a 7-3 victory at Alexandra Palace.
The Dutchman, 29, raced into a 4-0 lead before 10th seed Smith whipped the home crowd into a frenzy by winning five successive legs to make it 4-2.
After Van Gerwen silenced the crowd in the seventh, Smith missed two crucial set-winning checkouts in the eighth.
The champion was not at his best but banked a winners' cheque of £500,000.
Victory takes Van Gerwen, who also won in 2014 and 2017, to second in the list of PDC World Championship title wins, but he is way off the record of 14 victories set by the retired Phil Taylor.
Michael van Gerwen beats Michael Smith 7-3 to win his third world title
Losing finalist Michael Smith has been speaking to Sky Sports. He says: "I didn’t get going but still had the chances. I lost 7-3 but I could have taken my chances and made it five all. I died off. I kept looking at the trophy thinking it was mine.
"It’s my first final but it won’t be my last, I will lift that trophy.
"If Michael was going to win he was going to have work. I was following up his scores then he dropped off and I did too. I’m sorry I didn’t put on a show."
Michael van Gerwen beats Michael Smith 7-3 to win his third world title
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Michael van Gerwen beats Michael Smith 7-3 to win his third world title
With half a million in his back pocket, that's going to be some holiday for the three-time world champion.
Michael van Gerwen beats Michael Smith 7-3 to win his third world title
Our champion Michael van Gerwen tells Sky Sports: "It makes me feel the best feeling you can have. I've worked so hard for this, everyone knows I've had a difficult year so to win this trophy at the end of the year is phenomenal. There is nothing higher for me, obviously the family, but this means a lot to me.
"I was a bit nervous, of course. I wanted to do better than I could've done but Michael is a phenomenal player. It was a difficult game, at the end of the road it does not matter if you win.
"One day he will lift this trophy as well, he has so much talent but I'm glad to have stopped him today. I had pressure on my shoulders and a three-time world champion sounds very good.
"I think I need to go on a holiday now, I think I've earned it."
£500,000 and, for the third time in his career, the Sid Waddell trophy.
Michael van Gerwen lifts the trophy high above his head as the tickertape confetti falls from the ceiling of Alexandra Palace.
Michael van Gerwen beats Michael Smith 7-3
Barry Hearn, PDC chairman, comes on to lead the presentation of the trophies. Michael Smith, gets £200,000 as runner-up, a great pay day, but it is the title he wanted.
Van Gerwen 7-3 Smith (3-1, 10th set)
The first dart at double 16 is just too high, the second is perfect.
Just like in 2014 and 2017, Michael van Gerwen is the champion of the world.
Image source, PAMVG now needs 32. This should be it.
MVG 128 for the title.
Van Gerwen 6-3 Smith (2-1, 10th set)
Michael Smith looked finished. He is hanging on by his fingertips and that is 58 he sorts out for the leg. MVG starts the fourth leg and starts it with the best possible - 180.
One match dart comes and goes for Van Gerwen.
MVG 109 away from the world title.
Van Gerwen 6-3 Smith (2-0, 10th set)
A 180 from MVG and that could be it.
Van Gerwen 6-3 Smith (2-0, 10th set)
A double 16 and Van Gerwen looks a man possessed, screaming out, throwing imaginary punches. Again, one leg from glory. He knows just how important that may be.
Image source, Getty ImagesVan Gerwen 6-3 Smith (1-0, 10th set)
Michael Smith's fans crank up the noise, trying to extend this final even longer.