There is a dilemma looming for Everton should they maintain the form that demolished Arsenal on Sunday and close in on Champions League qualification. What if they help Liverpool win the Premier League by beating Manchester City on the penultimate weekend of the season?

According to Sylvain Distin, some Evertonians at Goodison Park would rather concede a top four finish than assist in a 19th league championship for their Merseyside rivals.

Everton's quandary is at present hypothetical and Roberto Martínez's team, one point behind Arsenal with a game in hand following their 3-0 win over Arsène Wenger's side, face a demanding run-in before City arrive at Goodison Park on 3 May. But the prospect has been discussed. Merseyside enjoyed its best ever month of league results in March with Everton and Liverpool boasting a 100% record from their combined 10 matches. The sequence continued on Sunday when Liverpool followed Everton's success with a 2-1 win at West Ham United that returned Brendan Rodgers's team to the Premier League summit.

For Distin and Everton's players there is no dilemma; they are intent on marking Martínez's impressive first season as manager by qualifying for the Champions League for the first time since 2004-05. For some boyhood blues working at the club, however, it is a different matter.

The club's veteran, and astonished, central defender said: "We've spoken about it with some of the staff and said 'What if we have to beat City to be in the Champions League but by doing that Liverpool win the league?' The funny thing is some people would rather we don't get Champions League as long as they don't win the league. It's mad! Personally I'd rather be in the Champions League. You can't miss a chance for that. It would be amazing for the city if both clubs made it. I think deep down both sets of fans would like it if both clubs were in it."

Everton have momentum in the race for Champions League qualification, having won nine consecutive home games in all competitions in 2014, but the two Merseyside clubs have never finished in the top four together in the Premier League era. Kevin Mirallas, however, believes Arsenal are faltering under pressure to maintain their 16-year residency among the European elite.

"There's so much pressure on Arsenal now because things are in our hands. They are almost obliged to be in the Champions League, that's what they do. They've qualified for years, but we are breathing down their necks and we can go fourth if we win our game in hand.

"It would be great to make the Champions League, for everyone here. Each and every one of us. But we need to keep going and hope it can happen. I have played in that competition at two of my previous clubs and when I signed for Everton my ambition was to achieve it again in my career. That's what I'm dreaming of now."

Manchester City arrive on Merseyside this weekend, of course, for an Anfield date with league leaders Liverpool that could shape the title race. But Jordan Henderson has dismissed the game's billing as the title decider. The Liverpool midfielder said: "We've got five games left. It's not one. It's five. We've got to take each one as it comes and it is City. It's a big game but so are the other four. We've got to concentrate, keep our focus and keep approaching games like we have been."