Antonio Conte conceded Juventus are operating on a different level to his Inter Milan side after the Nerazzurri's perfect start to Serie A was brought to a shuddering halt.
Inter had set the early season pace under new manager Conte with six wins from as many games to top the table.
However, they were on the back foot as early as the fourth minute at San Siro through Paulo Dybala's drilled effort before Lautaro Martinez levelled from the penalty spot after Juve defender Matthijs de Ligt handled in the box.
The game was decided by substitute Gonzalo Higuain who fired past Samir Handanovic with 10 minutes left.
"Juve is in another category from all points of view, we cannot compare to them," said Conte. "The gap is there and it is important. We have won six games bringing the car to 200 miles per hour and we will try to do it again."
It was a stark reminder of the task facing any club wanting to usurp Juve as Italy's best. The Turin club have won Italy's top tier 35 times including the past eight scudetti, with Inter the last team to have their name on the title in 2010.
Juventus moved top with 19 points to Inter's 18 and it was a deserved victory in an absorbing contest.
Inter recovered from conceding early and after equalising could have gone ahead when Martinez forced Wojciech Szczesny into a great save with a powerful cross shot.
But Juve carved out the best chances with Cristiano Ronaldo denied by keeper Handanovic and then had a goal ruled out for offside before the break.
Maurizio Sarri sent on Higuain and Rodrigo Bentancur as Juve chased a winner in the second half and the changes worked wonders.
Ronaldo and Bentancur exchanged passes, freeing Higuain in the area and the former Real Madrid and Napoli marksman dispatched low to Handanovic's right post.
"It was a great match for Juventus," Higuain, who replaced Federico Bernardeschi, said. "Inter came from six victories but we played with great character and determination and luckily we managed to bring it home."
Atalanta have 16 points in third after their impressive start continued with a 3-1 home victory over Lecce.
Fourth-placed Napoli, on 13 points, were held 0-0 at Torino while Roma, fifth with 12, drew 1-1 at home to Cagliari.
