As the Indian Super League 2024-25 season heats up, Matchweek 10 delivered another round of thrilling encounters, high-stakes battles, and standout performances. The week's action offered plenty of drama and memorable moments, with teams jostling for crucial points to secure their place in the playoff race.

From stunning goals to tactical masterclasses, Matchweek 10 kept fans on the edge of their seats and shifted the dynamics of the league table.

Mohun Bagan SG reclaimed the top spot with a late win over Chennaiyin FC, showcasing their attacking resilience. Meanwhile, East Bengal FC finally recorded their first win of the season against NorthEast United FC, lifting spirits in their camp. After a tough defeat last week, Mumbai City FC also secured a crucial victory over Hyderabad FC.

The week's standout moments included Jason Cummings' decisive goal for Mohun Bagan SG and Mehtab Singh's match-winning header for the Islanders.

Here's a breakdown of the key talking points from the latest round of fixtures:

1. Bengaluru FC’s defensive struggles

Bengaluru FC’s defence, which started the season strong, has shown signs of cracking. Conceding four goals in their match against Odisha FC highlighted lapses in concentration and structural disarray at the back.

The Blues’ defensive unravelling has been stark, transitioning from a watertight unit in the first five games, where they conceded zero goals, to 11 goals in the next five matches. This inconsistency came to a head this week with their 4-2 loss to Odisha FC, marking the sixth instance of conceding four or more goals in ISL history, with three of these occurring within the past year. This also pushed them down to second place on the table, with Mohun Bagan SG surpassing them.

2. Odisha FC’s winning momentum

Odisha FC continued their winning momentum, establishing themselves as one of the in-form teams this season. Following a sensational 6-0 victory over Hyderabad FC in Matchweek +, they secured a commanding 4-2 win against Bengaluru FC, underlining their ability to adapt strategies and capitalize on opponents' defensive vulnerabilities.

Mourtada Fall has emerged as a key figure, scoring four goals this season — equaling his tally from the previous two ISL campaigns combined — and now stands just one goal shy of the record for most goals by a defender in a single ISL season (5, a record he set in 2019-20). Meanwhile, Diego Mauricio’s ninth career brace in the ISL further highlighted Odisha FC's attacking depth and firepower, making them a daunting opponent for any team.

Ten goals were scored in two matches, and the Kalinga Warriors appear to be at their very best.

3. NorthEast United FC blank

For the first time this season, NorthEast United FC failed to find the back of the net, suffering a narrow loss to East Bengal. This result snapped their impressive 13-game scoring streak in the ISL, the second-longest such run in the club's history. Despite creating numerous opportunities, the Highlanders lacked sharpness in front of goal, with misfired attempts and a reliance on a few key players evident in their play.

The defeat underscored the challenge of sustaining offensive consistency in a demanding league.

As the season progresses, NorthEast United FC will need to diversify their attacking options and make better use of their chances to avoid further setbacks in their push for a playoff spot.

4. East Bengal FC break the jinx

After weeks of struggles, East Bengal FC finally secured their first win of the season, defeating a strong NorthEast United FC side. Dimitrios Diamantakos’ early goal was a result of a well-worked move, and their gritty defensive performance ensured the result.

The win was built on defensive resilience, with the team achieving back-to-back clean sheets for the first time since a streak of four in December 2023. Diamantakos emerged as the hero, netting his fourth career goal against NorthEast United FC in the ISL, continuing his knack for scoring against the Highlanders.

This result not only lifted spirits in the East Bengal FC camp but also highlighted their potential to build momentum as the season progresses.

5. Kerala Blasters' worrying home form

Kerala Blasters FC's fortress at Kochi has been breached more often than ever this season, with their 1-0 loss to FC Goa marking their fourth home defeat in the ongoing ISL campaign — the highest in a single season in their history.

Traditionally known for their strong home record fueled by passionate fan support, the Blasters have struggled to capitalize on home advantage this season. Adding to their woes, the loss allowed FC Goa to register their 12th victory against Kerala Blasters FC in ISL history, tying for the joint-second most wins by one team over another in the competition.

This concerning home form underscores the Blasters' need for immediate tactical adjustments to revive their season and reestablish Kochi as a fortress.

6. Jamshedpur FC thrive on home advantage

Jamshedpur FC bounced back to winning ways in emphatic fashion, delivering a commanding second-half performance to defeat newly promoted Mohammedan SC at home. Khalid Jamil’s men netted three goals after the break, securing their fourth home win of the season—surpassing their combined total from the past two seasons (2 in 2023-24 and 1 in 2022-23).

The victory also boosts their playoff hopes, as they now sit level on 15 points with five other teams, keeping their postseason ambitions firmly alive.

Related tags:

Kerala Blasters FCOdisha FCJamshedpur FCBengaluru FCEast Bengal FC2024-2025