Lecce surge up the table with a second consecutive victory, but Sassuolo are increasingly desperate after this humiliating 3-0 home defeat.

The Neroverdi had at least stalled the rot with three consecutive stalemates, but remained in the bottom two with Domenico Berardi, Samu Castillejo and Marcus Pedersen injured. Pontus Almqvist was suspended with Lameck Banda, Mohamed Kaba, Jeppe Corfitzen and Kastriot Dermaku long-term absentees, but Lecce were boosted by a late win over Empoli and moved to a 4-4-2 formation.

Alexis Blin's header was just over from a corner and it was only a warning for the goal, which saw Valentin Gendrey nod in a Remy Oudin free kick at the back post, out-jumping Thorstvedt.

Lecce were far more aggressive and confident from the start and doubled their lead as Antonino Gallo rolled across from the left for Patrick Dorgu to sweep home relatively undisturbed.

Armand Lauriente was booked and will be suspended against Fiorentina, while Andrea Pinamonti steered a free header inches wide, Gregoire Defrel fired over and nobody was ready to meet the Mattia Viti pull-back from the by-line.

Gendrey turned another free header over from a corner and Andrea Pinamonti's acrobatic volley on the turn was straight at Wladimiro Falcone.

Sassuolo made three changes at half-time, but Lecce nearly scored a third goal with Dorgu's header cleared off the line by Gian Marco Ferrari.

They did go 3-0 up when Sassuolo lost the ball in midfield and Nikola Krstovic immediately sent Roberto Piccoli through on the counter to nutmeg Andrea Consigli.

Piccoli would've had another moments later if not for Consigli rushing forward to make himself big, then the goalkeeper got down to fingertip away an Oudin roll across the six-yard box.

Samuele Mulattieri's header was easy for Falcone and Pinamonti blasted wide from distance, while Federico Baschirotto prevented a potential tap-in.