'We are alive' - Pep Guardiola sends ominous Man City title race message to Liverpool and Arsenal

Manchester City are top of the Premier League, at least for now, after breezing past Luton on Saturday.

Manchester City feel 'alive' having moved top of the Premier League for the first time in five months on Saturday.

Playing before rivals Liverpool and Arsenal, who both feature on Sunday, City used the opportunity to put five past Luton and end the day top of the table for the first time since November. The fixture schedule - and City's FA Cup semi-final - means they could be seven points behind both contenders by the next time they play a league game, so Pep Guardiola knows the table isn't quite representative of the reality.

However, he declared himself delighted with how his side is playing and warned both Liverpool and Arsenal that City will do everything they can to keep the pressure on in search of a fourth successive title.

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"It will be different when we will be there after the same games," said Guardiola. "But I have the feeling that they (City's players) know they want to be there. Arsenal and Liverpool know they want to be there, otherwise they wouldn't drop.

"We play the way we did at Crystal Palace, Real Madrid - we played really good, especially in the second half. Today we scored five more, they know how difficult Luton is. We played the game we should play.

"I didn't have any doubts, how still we run in every department. The last action, the transition, six players. The team is alive."

Guardiola also praised City moving closer to securing a Champions League place for next season after their win coupled with defeat for fifth-placed Tottenham. While that has been inevitable for much of the season, the boss revealed his pre-match team talk was a reminder to his squad of the position they have put themselves in.

"We spoke with the players, how incredible it is to be here again. Before the game, we spoke and said we have to admit it, what a privilege," the manager said. "After what we have done in the Premier League, still fighting for the title, one point behind. Now 18 points left.

"On Wednesday we are going to play against Real Madrid, a chance to qualify for the semi-final, with all the energy our fans will bring. The FA Cup next Saturday to reach the final, so what a privilege to be here. Imagine to have no chance for the Premier League or other competitions. We just try to extend one more week. Go there and in the Premier League we have one more week, they know if we drop points we have no chance.

"I don't know what happens tomorrow with Arsenal and Liverpool. But if we don't win today, I know they will win. 100 per cent. All we can do is win our games and put pressure and make them feel that. Luton is difficult but we score five goals. This is the only message we can do. Six games left, after if we are not able (to win) we congratulate them but we have done our job."