Liverpool's mid-week 5-0 win thrilled and delighted but the reds failed to build on the result, dropping two points against Everton at Goodison Park.
The reds had the chances to win this game, a couple of times over perhaps, but Mo Salah was the spearhead of a misfiring attack.
Jurgen Klopp looks like he too was misled by the mid-week scoreline, bringing back Jordan Henderson alongside Fabinho - leaving a great weight on the shoulders of Wijnaldum to provide the attacking impetus.
Roberto Firmino was not risked in the starting line up but was one of a number of subs utilised in the second half.
In a scrappy first half amongst the incoming storm off the Irish Sea, the blue half of Everton were determined to put in a decent performance in what is effectively their final significant game of the season - trying to take points off Liverpool.
They may not have ended their decade long search for a win over the reds - but like Leicester, West Ham and Man United in recent weeks - they kept enough discipline to keep out a misfiring reds side.
Salah off target
There were overhit final balls, poor corners, too many touches around the area and poor close control when finesse was required. On another day Mo Salah could have walked away with a hat-trick.
In one excellent opportunity Jordan Pickford's legs opened as wide as the Mersey tunnel, but from 6 yards Salah missed the obvious and tried to curl it around him from an angle too tight for the attempt. Even Pickford could stretch to save that chance.
Another chance, and Salah's first touch took the ball four foot in front of him. Intercepted and cleared for a corner that the reds would then waste.
Divock Origi was causing a degree of discomfort for Everton, but in the 63rd minute the Liverpool changes arrived and they were perplexing. Henderson and Fabinho were retained. The midfield to make way the more attack minded Wijnaldum - he was replaced by Milner who then spent the final periods of the game looking more like a second left back than an attacking option.
Firmino came on to replace Origi too - a decision that didn't cause Everton any problems of note.
Adam Lallana was sent on in the final minutes delivering no impact - Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri seeing out the game on the bench.
City regain their lead at the top of the Premier League after Liverpool took the summit in December. They have a one point lead with both teams having played 29 games.
The title is now in Man City's hands once more, and if they win their final 9 games then nobody can say they won't have deserved it.
70 points from the reds after 29 games with just 1 defeat and sitting second shows just how high the standard has been from both of this seasons leading clubs. 27 points still to play for but it is now advantage City.
