City lost for just the second time this season, but of the 22 shots on Spurs’ goal, just five were on target and Hugo Lloris had no difficult saves to make.
The Belgian feels losing players and the fast turnaround between games is not helping, either.
“I think we played well but missed that cutting edge,” said De Bruyne.
“We kept to Tottenham to three or four chances - that’s quite good - but if you’re not sharp enough in front of goal, it’s tough.
“It’s been up and down for us with the players coming in and going out.
“It’s hard for players coming back from injury to be sharp straight away.
CITY+ | SIGN UP TO ACCESS EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
“We’re doing quite well in the first two thirds, but not as good in the last third but that will come.
“It’s been difficult finding consistency. We need to be a bit sharper, but as I say, hopefully that will come soon.”
De Bruyne was less than impressed with referee Mike Dean’s decision to disallow Aymeric Laporte’s first-half equaliser, with Gabriel Jesus adjudged to have handled in the build-up.
“I don’t know the rules anymore, honestly,” he said.
“I thought if it was above the arm (top of sleeve) - it wasn’t handball. Everyone knows it hit him there, but honestly I don’t know the rules.
“But it will be analysed and referees will say it was a good decision.
“I’ve been playing professional football for 12 years and in the first nine years there were no rule changes and now there a lots.
“I don’t know why - football is a nice game.
“It’s been difficult. We had about seven days of pre-season. I played with national team after one training session.
“I came back Wednesday night from Belgium and couldn’t go to the club because we have to have Covid testing, so I couldn’t do any regeneration.”
