Cristian Chivu's side came into the match clash having suffered back-to-back league defeats, but it was able to get over the line to move up to 10th in the early standings. 

The scoreline could have looked a lot more handsome for the Scudetto chaser had it not been for visiting goalkeeper Arijanet Muric, who produced a string of stunning stops. 

Muric was first called into action to deny Carlos Augusto in the seventh minute, sensationally tipping the ball past the post after the Brazilian's lung-busting run from defence. 

But the Sassuolo shot-stopper could do nothing to prevent Inter from taking the lead seven minutes later, with Federico Dimarco rounding off a fine move with a calm finish. 

Inter's midweek hero Marcus Thuram then saw a near-post strike thwarted by Muric before Francesco Pio Esposito fired over from close range moments before half-time. 

A low-key second period sparked into life inside the final 10 minutes when Augusto's shot at goal deflected off Tarik Muharemovic and into the Sassuolo net. 

However, the visitor responded swiftly through Walid Cheddira, who ghosted in behind the Inter defence before picking out the bottom-right corner to make things interesting.

Inter substitute Davide Frattesi then had a goal ruled out for offside, a decision that was confirmed after a lengthy VAR review, and Chivu's side held on for an important three points.