Selby led the all-English final 10-7 overnight at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield and maintained that three-frame advantage in the first of today's two sessions, ending it 14-11 up and just four frames shy of the crown.

The final had been without a century break until the 21st frame, when Selby produced a 107 break.

Murphy responded with his own century break two frames later.

Selby won two of the opening four frames in the decisive last session, and then produced a 120 break - the highest of the match - to move within a frame of victory.

Murphy, who won a world title in 2015, responded in style, with back-to-back century breaks keeping his slim hopes of victory alive.

However, Selby won the 33rd frame 71-57, with the potting of the final black greeted with a roar from the 37-year-old and warm applause from the capacity crowd, which was permitted for the final as part of a series of pilot events to trial the return of spectators to sport in England.

Selby won the first-to-18-frames final 18-15.

A fourth world title sees the "Jester from Leicester" move to second in the world rankings, behind compatriot Judd Trump.

Murphy has now been the World Snooker Championship runner-up three times.

Selby said afterwards that winning a fourth world title was "something I could only have dreamed of".

"My aim is to get back to world number one," Selby added. 

"You still have goals in your career. 

"I'm going in the right direction."