Liverpool and Arsenal grant Pep Guardiola wish as Man City finally get manager's request

Pep Guardiola will be the first person to quell the theory that Manchester City will now stroll to the title after the defeats for Liverpool and Arsenal on Sunday.

Speaking after his side’s 5-1 win over Luton Town on Saturday, the manager said his players “like to play the pressure” but insisted: "That means we'll be Premier League champions? No, no. I am not saying that. But we will compete, that is for sure."

The champions are actually top of the table for the first time since November 25 despite not losing a match in 17 league fixtures, a run that goes back to December 6. Their involvement in the FA Cup semi-finals this weekend means they could be knocked off the summit, but will naturally have a game in hand.

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City were, of course, in the same position last year with a second Treble currently still very much on the cards. Chelsea are the tricky Wembley opponents in the FA Cup semis while Real Madrid will need to be slain at the Etihad again if the Blues are to reach the Champions League last four.

Should City go all the way in each competition, they will have 12 matches to play in six weeks before June 1, averaging a game every three days. Arsenal and Liverpool have a maximum of 11 to fit in amid their FA Cup absence but European inclusion.

The pursuit of a triple-crown in any form will become even harder by next season's expanded Champions League and Europa League formats, which will see 10 group games and a potential play-off round. So, we may never see this double-Treble opportunity again.

As for the league specifically, City are now favourites to land a record fourth consecutive title. Ten