Subborn Caen peg back PSG

Paris Saint-Germain FC suffered their second disappointing result in two Ligue 1 games when they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by promoted side SM Caen in Saturday's early game.

Sarr on the spot
The Parisian outfit, without a league title since 1994, were eager to bounce back after a 2-1 defeat by Stade Rennais FC on the first day of the new French league season last weekend. But they were denied victory when Caen midfield player Kor Sarr converted a penalty 17 minutes from time.

Yepes dismissed
PSG went in front after ten minutes with a close-range effort by Fabrice Fiorèse but Caen defender Cédric Hengbart levelled just before the interval. Sweeper Mario Yepes put PSG back in front with a 56th-minute header but Sarr earned Caen a point after Bernard Mendy handled inside the penalty area, and PSG's frustration was typified deep in added time when Yepes was shown a red card for violent conduct.

Monaco in form
Later on Saturday, AS Monaco FC continued their impressive start to the season with a 2-1 home victory against FC Istres. After winning 1-0 at AS Saint-Etienne last weekend and enjoying a 3-0 success at Slovenian side NK Gorica in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round in midweek, Douglas Maicon set up the first goal for striker Mohamed Kallon in the sixth minute.

Maicon decisive
Maicon doubled the home side's lead two minutes before the half-hour and Didier Deschamps' team held on despite Victor Montano's 80th-minute strike that belatedly gave the visitors hope.

Metz on top
Monaco are joined on six points by FC Metz, 2-1 winners at AC Ajaccio thanks to goals early in each half from Hervé Tum and Babacar Gueye, with Cyril Chapuis on target for the home side.

Lyon held
Champions Olympique Lyonnais needed a 75th-minute penalty from Juninho Pernambucano to salvage a point at home to FC Sochaux Montbéliard, for whom Sylvain Monsoreau missed a penalty after 12 minutes. The visitors had taken the lead with a header by defender Lionel Potillon just before the interval.

Wolf double
Elsewhere, two goals in five minutes early in the second half from René Wolf helped AJ Auxerre to a 3-1 win against Rennes, with Bonaventure Kalou also on target for the home side. FC Girondins de Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh scored a hat-trick in his side's 5-1 win against OGC Nice, David Jemmali and Lilian Laslandes getting the other goals.
 
Suarez strikes
Toulouse FC won 4-1 at RC Strasbourg thanks in no small part to two David Suarez goals, which were added to by Stéphane Dalmat and Daniel Moreira. Meanwhile, two strikes from Seydou Keita helped RC Lens to a 3-0 win against St Etienne and FC Nantes Atlantique drew 1-1 with SC Bastia.

Marseille match
Early on Sunday evening, Olympique de Marseille, who defeated Bordeaux last week, are at home to Lille OSC, 2-0 victors against Auxerre in their first league match.