The first real chance of the game fell to Inter, with Manuel Akanji nodding narrowly wide following a well-worked set piece. The opening shot on target also came via the aerial route, although Yann Bisseck’s header did not unduly trouble Alberto Paleari in the Torino goal.
But it was third time lucky in the 23rd minute, with Marcus Thuram meeting Federico Dimarco’s lovely lofted cross at the back post with a decisive header to break the deadlock.
Torino reached the break without having registered a single shot on goal. And it was more of the same after the break, as only a smart save from Paleari prevented Dimarco from doubling the advantage within moments of the restart, with a last-gasp block then denying Matteo Darmian on the rebound.
The Dimarco-Thuram connection then almost reaped rewards again, but the Frenchman’s effort was deflected behind for a corner after a neat pass in behind the defence.
However, corners have been a lucrative route for Cristian Chivu’s side this season, and Dimarco was not to be denied his second assist of the game.
Remarkably, he moved up to 18 for the campaign - the most ever by a player in a single Serie A season - with a pinpoint delivery for Bisseck, who continued the aerial bombardment with a smart header to extend the lead.
Yet out of the blue, Giovanni Simeone managed to make a game of things in the 70th minute, with a good finish after an intricate piece of link-up play.
That changed the game, and he flashed another effort narrowly wide of the post just minutes later. Yan Sommer was then called into action for the first time to turn away a fierce Alieu Njie strike.
The phenomenal swing in momentum culminated in a penalty against Inter, with a harsh handball called against Carlos Augusto from point-blank range after a VAR review.
Nikola Vlasic smashed home the spot-kick, and the points were shared, with Il Toro coming the closest to snatching victory in the final stages.
This is just the second time in 15 matches that the Granata have avoided defeat against Inter, although they remain marooned in mid-table. Despite the unlikely setback, Inter can still clinch the title next weekend with a win at home to Parma.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Federico Dimarco (Inter)
