The mid-table rivals arrived into the clash following contrasting results - Sassuolo had edged struggling Spezia by a solitary goal, whereas Torino were torn apart by a rampant Napoli in their own backyard, as they grappled each other for early bragging rights.
Torino made all the pilot moves, subjecting the Neroverdi to total domination, determined to draw first blood for the fifth time in six league games.
Nemanja Radonjic first alarmed the hosts with a point-blank effort, only to see it agonisingly crash off the crossbar, before the tables turned.
A swift counter-attack against the run of play culminated with Andrea Pinamonti taking full advantage of a rebound, tranquilly slotting home his fifth strike of the campaign.
With the scorer of the opening goal winning the last six matches at the Mapei Stadium, Alessio Dionisi’s troops went into the break rather satisfied, leaving Ivan Juric to ponder tactical changes going forward.
Perhaps energised by their strong finish to the first half, Sassuolo grew into the game thereafter, sensing yet another win would rocket them further into proverbial greener pastures, after what largely started out as a dismal campaign.
However, minutes after Armand Laurienté’s goal was ruled offside, Radonjic dealt the hosts yet another scare with a close range effort, which was brilliantly blocked by a sliding defender.
They didn’t have to wait long for an equaliser though, as Antonio Sanabria stepped up to task with a formidable diving header from a Valentino Lazaro cross to level proceedings.
Eager to see their efforts bear fruit, Torino continued to mount pressure, but ultimately failed to make an impact in the final third.
The Granata remain in contention to land a top-half finish, as are Sassuolo, who remain one of the better teams this calendar year in terms of points earned, alongside Napoli, Juventus and Lazio.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Samuele Ricci (Torino)
