The second week of the 2018-19 Hero Indian Super League (ISL) was one to remember for a variety of reasons. After a nine-day international break, the league returned to provide fans with entertainment aplenty and non-stop action. Bengaluru FC and NorthEast United FC sit atop the league table with seven points apiece, thanks to their impressive results over the week. While on the bottom half of the table, last year’s reigning champions Chennaiyin FC and semi-finalists FC Pune City languish.

Here are the results from the week gone by and some of the major trends.

Match 10: Delhi Dynamos 1-2 ATK (Match report)

Match 11: Chennaiyin 3-4 NorthEast United (Match Report)

Match 12: Mumbai City FC 2-0 FC Pune City (Match Report)

Match 13: Kerala Blasters 1-1 Delhi Dynamos (Match Report)

Match 14: Jamshedpur 1-1 ATK (Match Report)

Match 15: FC Pune City 0-3 Bengaluru FC (Match Report)

AWAY SIDE ADVANTAGE

Of the six matches played over the past week, only Mumbai City FC have managed to clinch a victory at home. Bengaluru and NorthEast United picked up three points on their travels, while Delhi Dynamos and ATK have managed to salvage a point at the home of Kerala Blasters FC and Jamshedpur FC, respectively. If the current trend is anything to go by, teams this season are not baulking under the pressure of the rapturous home support of the opposition.

SEASON’S FIRST HAT-TRICK

When NorthEast United trailed by two goals at the hands of Chennaiyin FC on Thursday, up stepped captain Bartholomew Ogbeche, who scored a stunning 10-minute hat-trick to help his side to a historic 4-3 victory. The Nigerian forward has hit the ground running with the Highlanders and will prove to be a pivotal figure for Eelco Schattorie if he can maintain his form through the season.

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS IN DIRE STRAITS

Chennaiyin’s miserable start to the season continued as they went down to the Highlanders 3-4 on Thursday. John Gregory’s men looked to have finally got out of their rut when they established a two-goal lead early in the fixture. However, their defence crumbled as the match progressed, leaving gaping holes for Ogbeche and Co. to exploit. With three consecutive losses, this is Chennaiyin’s worst start to any Hero ISL season.

ABSENCE OF GOALLESS DRAWS

With 15 matches played so far, the league is yet to witness a goalless draw this campaign. A total of 41 goals have been scored so far – a true indicator of the notch up in entertainment value this season. NorthEast United currently lead the goalscoring charts with seven goals, one ahead of Bengaluru who is in the second spot. If teams can continue the impressive goalscoring form, we could be in for a record-breaking term.

Click here to view all the results from the past week in the league.

Related tags:

Kerala Blasters FCJamshedpur FCBengaluru FCFC GoaMumbai City FCNorthEast United FCChennaiyin FC 2018-2019