Manchester City kept pace with fellow Premier League title-chasers Liverpool and Arsenal with a 4-2 victory at Crystal Palace on Saturday, with Kevin De Bruyne providing much of the attacking impetus on the day.
De Bruyne scored two goals and registered an assist during Saturday's match at Selhurst Park, sending a reminder to the rest of the league that his quality has not diminished despite missing much of the season with injury.
The 32-year-old expressed relief with his performance after the match, telling TNT Sports that he still has a way to go before feeling 100 percent.
"It was good," De Bruyne said of Saturday's match. "It has been a very [atypical] 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."
De Bruyne admitted that he felt pressure to put in a top-notch performance after watching Phil Foden score a second-half hat-trick on Wednesday in a 4-1 victory over Aston Villa. Foden has often slotted in at attacking midfield this season, the same position De Bruyne plays, and has scored a career-high 21 goals with several matches still remaining in the campaign.
It's just part of being in a deep squad with City, De Bruyne said.
"I don't expect to just be given my place," he explained. "If I don't perform well, I won't play.
"Phil Foden has been amazing this season so deserves it but it keeps me on my toes."
Live on DAZN PPV: Haney vs. Garcia on April 20. Click here for details.