The hosts were eager to get off to a good start, and that was almost secured after just eight minutes played when Ademola Lookman’s rapid shot was superbly blocked in front of the goal line by Jay Idzes.
The visitors found their footing in the match as the first half progressed, and were awarded a penalty shortly before the half-hour mark when Andrea Pinamonti was brought down in the area by Marco Carnesecchi.
Domenico Berardi stepped up to take the spot-kick and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to give Sassuolo the lead and notch his third Serie A goal of the season. Overall, it was another concerning half of football for Ivan Jurić’s side, with a real lack of creativity leading to only one shot on target.
The situation turned from bad to worse for Atalanta just two minutes after the interval. Berardi was able to pick out Pinamonti inside the box, and it was all too easy for the Italian striker to swivel around his marker and place the ball into the back of the net to double Sassuolo’s advantage.
The Nerazzurri showed some signs of life in the 55th minute, as Nikola Krstovic steered an effort wide of the post, before Fabio Grosso’s side came close to wrapping the game up as Kristian Thorstvedt dragged his close-range shot off target when he should have at least forced Carnesecchi into action.
Atalanta’s home supporters made their displeasure crystal clear midway through the second half, as a perfectly weighted through ball from Thorstvedt put Berardi clean through on goal, and he coolly slotted the ball home to inflict further misery on their opposition at the New Balance Arena.
Neroverdi fans must be absolutely delighted with their team’s progress, as last season’s Serie B champions have now risen to an impressive eighth position in the table. As for Atalanta, some tough questions need to be asked, with Jurić’s side dropping to 13th position after picking up only two wins from their opening 11 Serie A matches.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Domenico Berardi (US Sassuolo)