Emma Hayes said fatigue was a crucial factor as her Chelsea team were beaten 2-0 by Man City in the WSL.
Chelsea were facing their third away game in a week, following an FA Cup win at Reading and a Champions League success at Lyon. But they were caught cold by City, who won the game thanks to wonderful first-half goals from Filippa Angeldahl and Lauren Hemp, which settled an absorbing contest.
But the Blues boss refused to criticise the efforts of her players post-match and instead said that their lack of energy was understandable after spending so much time on the road.
"I thought we were so sluggish in the first half," said Hayes. This was our third away game in the week and it looked like it.
"I thought that was the difference between the two teams, but well done to City. We didn’t have the legs. Your minds can want to do a million things, but if your legs can’t, that’s a real challenge.
"I don’t think people realise how tough it is for our third away game in seven days, particularly after travelling to Lyon. It is really, really tough.
"The important thing is we move on as quickly as possible and be ready for the week. We’ve got a game still in-hand and need to maximise that."
Chelsea seemed to miss influential centre-half Millie Bright, who came off against Lyon during the week. But Sam Kerr also had a strangely quiet day in front of goal, bar forcing a smart stop from Ellie Roebuck early on.
Hayes' side might have got back into the contest but Melanie Leupolz blazed over when well placed late on. But despite the loss seeing her team slip to third in the league, Hayes still believes her side has a good chance of retaining their crown.
"It’s the same as it’s been all along," she added when asked on how she viewed the four teams at the top. "Which is we’ve still got a game in hand, we need to maximise that, and I think it’s fantastic for the league that it’s like this."
