Ligue 1: Paris Saint-Germain Shrug off Inconsistency, Dispatch 10-Man Caen 4-2

In a week where former Chelsea and AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti's name was once more bandied about as a potential replacement for current Paris Saint-Germain manager Antoine Kombouare, three points from the weekend clash at home against Caen was the bare minimum—especially given the midweek disintegration in the Coupe de la Ligue Round of 16.

The capital side had crashed out of the Coupe de la Ligue on Oct. 26, falling 3-2 away to Dijon.

Despite defeating that same club 2-0 just three days before at the Parc des Princes in Ligue 1 play, a makeshift PSG side could not maintain a 2-0 lead in Coupe play, crashing out ingloriously from the competition they'd won in 2010.

Thus, Caen on Saturday.

Despite boasting the best home record in Ligue 1 this season (five wins in six matches), PSG were under the gun soon after kickoff, when a 12th minute header from Caen defender Thomas Heurtaux sent his side to a shocking early lead.

Caen, winners of Ligue 2 in 2009-10—which had sealed their re-entry into France's top flight of football—had managed only one win in their previous 12 visits to the prestigious Parc.

They were looking lively in the early going, however with striker Pierre-Alain Frau—who with right-back Jerry Vandam was one of two former Lille players in the side—looking dangerous when given opportunities in front of goal (he would hit the crossbar with a thunderous drive from 25 yards out on the cusp of halftime).

Paris would respond only eight minutes later, however, with a recently revitalized Nene drawing a blatant penalty in front of goal in the 20th minute. Benjamin Nivet could have little complaint, as he clearly pulled back the Brazilian, in denial of a clear-cut goal-scoring opportunity, but the red card may have been a harsh decision with so many Caen defenders in close proximity.

Nene made no mistake with his penalty, wrong-footing Alexis Thebaux before sending his shot into the left corner. With the rain beginning to lash down furiously, Paris were on level terms.

The game became incredibly stretched just before halftime, with a rash of chances developing for both sides—including Frau's aforementioned effort. Caen's numerical disadvantage was beginning to show, but they were still managing to look dangerous on the counterattack.

Paris looked far better as the second half started, with Kombouare's halftime speech having achieved its intended goal in reinvigorating his sputtering side.

Kevin Gameiro, who had joined Frau in hitting the post in the first half, pulled back for Jeremy Menez in front of goal in the 55th minute for Paris's second.

Menez, who would cause a stir 18 minutes later, when he threw a fit upon learning he was to be substituted, was working wonders on the wing throughout the game and was a key reason for Paris's new-found dominance.

A second Nene penalty strike (76'), earned by Gameiro (there was no fighting between the two this time 'round, as there had been against Nice Sept. 23), saw the Brazilian grab his second goal on the night, giving him four goals in his past two league matches.

Caen would make things interesting, if for a moment, when Jerry Vandam grabbed a goal in the 82nd minute to bring his side back to one goal down (3-2).

The brief hope provided by that goal would soon be snuffed out by Javier Pastore, whose well-placed 88th minute strike—which the Argentine hit with the outside of his right foot in a brilliant piece of technical wizardry—brought the scoring to a close at 4-2.

Another three points salvaged for the hosts, who now sit at 29 from 12 matches and three ahead of Montpellier. Lille, who managed a scoreless draw Sunday against Valenciennes, and currently stagnated at 23 points.

PSG were far from convincing, but as they have shown so often this season, they found the necessary resolve to manufacture a win.

Still, it was Pastore's indifferent form throughout the match that was perhaps most worrisome. The 22-year-old Argentine will always be held to a higher standard, given his extraordinary potential—and even more exorbitant price tag (€42 million this summer to bring him in from Palermo).

Pastore was the crown jewel in Paris sporting director Leonardo's Qatari-funded summer spending spree which, while having revitalized Paris (fourth-place finishers in 2010-11), has yet to look wholly convincing.

The transplants have yet to completely jell, with defense a particular discordant example on Saturday. The back four looked woeful at times against a Caen side that is currently in the middle of Ligue 1 standings.

It was a bit of a departure from an excellent defensive record thus far in Ligue 1. Paris have only allowed 10 goals in 12 matches, good enough for a plus-15 goal differential; best in the league. Still, there is little wonder that further reinforcements are being talked about (Kolo Toure as a possible transfer, along with a left-back.)

What this side require most, however, is more time to become a cohesive unit. The on-field play, scintillating at times (but how could it not be, with all that talent) has indicated that the transformation may well happen before season's end. But for now, they keep winning as they continue to iron out the kinks.

Not the most encouraging sign for their rivals for the 2011-12 Ligue 1 crown.