Two classy goals from Nikola Kalinic helped Fiorentina beat Sassuolo 2-1 and reach seventh place.

The former Blackburn striker hooked Josip Ilicic's lofted pass beyond Neroverdi goalkeeper Andrea Consigli in the ninth minute at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Then, five minutes before the break, Croatian Kalinic directed a deft back-heel from Federico Chiesa's cross into the bottom corner to set Fiorentina on a path towards consecutive home wins.

Sassuolo defender Francesco Acerbi slashed the deficit with a scruffy finish following a corner but Eusebio Di Francesco's men had already been condemned to a fifth defeat in seven games.