Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola claims the busy schedule was the reason for his team's 'mistakes' against Crystal Palace.
City ran out 4-2 winners at Selhurst Park to move level on points with Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Palace grabbed an early lead through Jean-Philippe Mateta after John Stones gave the ball away in the middle of the park.
But a Kevin De Bruyne-inspired display ensured City would take all three points and maintain their charge towards a fourth successive title.
Man City news: Pep Guardiola oversaw a 4-2 win at Crystal Palace
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De Bruyne scored a stunning strike to equalise before Rico Lewis' deflected effort put City ahead just after half-time.
Erling Haaland made it three for the visitors before De Bruyne scored his 100th goal for the club with a powerful left-footed strike.
City backed up their midweek win over Aston Villa following the goalless draw against title rivals Arsenal last Sunday.
Guardiola says the relentless schedule saw his team make a slow start to Saturday's encounter.
He told TNT Sports: "In the first half we did mistakes and the reason is three days, three days, three days, three days.
"But we made a comeback and today Kevin won the game with his actions, his assists, his goals and everything. His talent today was to the team and we won for him.
"I don't know if he enjoys scoring goals more than assists but I keep pushing him to say we have to win games.
"He has won a lot of games for us, no doubt. It was really good for his performance."
Guardiola brought on Manuel Akanji at half-time in place of Josko Gvardiol.
The substitution made an immediate impact but the Spaniard admitted his team were 'lucky' to score so quickly after the restart.
He added: "Manuel Akanji pushes a lot and is unbelievable playing at left-back. He is an incredible player.
"Especially the first half we attacked better on the sides with Rico and Oscar, they were really good, also Kevin was involved.
"We were lucky to score the second early in the second half like they scored in the first. It gave us composure and after we could close the game.
"[Lewis] is an exceptional player. He has something in the middle, in the pockets that is really, really good.
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"He has a sense for goal. He is a guy in training sessions who arrives in the final third and has this potential. He is another academy player so that is really good for us."
City now have a couple of days off before they play away at Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday.
Guardiola will assess the fitness of his players but is happy to have slightly more time to prepare.
He added: "We will see which players we have available because Josko had a little problem. We will see. Next one.
"We were unlucky to play early on at 12.30 to recover after Aston Villa but now lucky we have time to recover before Real Madrid. We will try to give them a good game."
Man City news: Erling Haaland helped City move level on points with Liverpool
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Meanwhile, De Bruyne is delighted to be making an impact after a difficult season fitness-wise.
The Belgian said: "It was good. It has been a very untypical season with the injuries and coming back.
"Sometimes I feel good, sometimes I feel a little bit off with my body. I have tried to prepare myself as best as possible.
"I try to do the job as good as possible and today I did well."
