Michele Paolucci took advantage of a goalkeeping howler to end Atalanta's 100 per cent record and put Catania top of the table for 24 hours.

The Orobici were ready to make history, as they topped the table for the first time since 1964-65 and a third straight win would set a new club record. Catania were fired up after their controversial 2-1 defeat at Inter and the consequent week-long verbal battle between general manager Pietro Lo Monaco and Coach Jose Mourinho. Taka Morimoto was rewarded with a rare start following his strong performance in the Coppa Italia midweek. Last season Atalanta came away from Sicily with a 2-1 victory.

Giuseppe Mascara was unlucky not to give the home side the lead after 10 minutes, as his brilliant curling right-foot free kick cracked against the outside of the near post with goalkeeper Ferdinando Coppola rooted to the spot.

Gyorgy Garics tried to burst through the centre of the Catania defence and Tiberio Guarente's volley flashed past the post. Luca Cigarini blazed over from the edge of the box under pressure.

There was bad news for Catania, who lost Ezequiel Carboni to a left calf injury after just 37 minutes of play. Penalty appeals were quickly quashed, as Simone Padoin acknowledged he had hit the ball on to the defender's arm from point-blank range.

A Cristiano Doni looping header from 10 yards whistled just past the top corner and Albano Bizzarri smothered a Sergio Floccari snapshot, but Catania had a fantastic chance in first half stoppages. Morimoto kept his volley low and powerful, but just slightly off target.

After the restart Pellegrino performed a decisive tackle to close down Ledesma inside the box at the end of a long period of Catania pressure.

It proved only a warning shot, as moments later the Sicilians took the lead with the first goal scored against Atalanta this season. Michele Paolucci ran on to a through ball down the left channel and his low effort squirmed between Coppola and the near post. It was a howler from the goalkeeper, who should've had that covered.

Atalanta poured forward, leaving space at the back for Paolucci to have a counter-attack charged down. Gigi Del Neri made two substitutions, transforming both wings of his team.

With his first touch, Diego De Ascentis nearly scored the equaliser, as a rising rocket was fingertipped out from under the crossbar.

Mascara was stretchered off suffering from cramp and made way for defender Silvestri, as Catania opted to sit back and cling to this lead. They nearly lost it, as Doni's free kick from 20 metres curled inches past the near post.

Bizzarri only punched a free kick as far as Valdes, who fired over the bar.

In the final minute Floccari sprung the offside trap on a chipped Doni cross into the six-yard box, but incredibly his diving header was off target!