Matchweek 6 of the Indian Super League (ISL) was a goal-laden one with the ball hitting the back of the net 22 times in six matches making it an average of 3.5 goals per game.

Compared to MW5, the goals weren’t as spread out with two teams also managing to keep clean sheets in this high-scoring week. Unlike the previous matchweek, two matches ended with the spoils being shared.

Odisha FC’s hard-fought win against East Bengal FC kicked things off in MW6 before a riveting contest between Chennaiyin FC and FC Goa saw both teams score twice and share a point each.

Bengaluru FC continued their impressive start to the season with another statement result at the home of their rivals, as they trumped Kerala Blasters FC 3-1 in Kochi.

Saturday threw up two surprising results as NorthEast United FC finally got their act together for a full duration of the game and shot down high-flying Jamshedpur FC 5-0 in Guwahati. In the second match of the double header, Hyderabad FC put on a show to sink Mohammedan SC 4-0 in Kolkata to post their first win of the season.

Matchweek 6 ended with a sumptuous tactical battle between Petr Kratky and Sergio Lobera as Mumbai City FC and Odisha FC shared the spoils in Mumbai.

With the league taking a two-day breather, here’s a look at some key takeaways from matchweek 5.

Flying Fall

Odisha FC had a pretty good matchweek as they picked up four points from their two games to continue their ascend in the table. One man that especially played a big part in their win was defender Mourtada Fall, who once again rose highest to score a headed goal against East Bengal FC.

Odisha FC’s winner by Fall in the 69th minute was his 19th headed goal in the competition, the most by any player in competition history. The Senegalese has been a constant threat in the box for whichever team that he has played for and it’s quite incredible that a defender holds this record.

Fall got close to his 20th against Mumbai City FC but was denied by a good intervention. The centre-back though was solid at the back and helped Odisha FC earn a crucial point.

Bengaluru FC’s strength in Kerala’s weakness

Bengaluru FC may have seen their clean sheet run ended in Kochi, but they delivered yet another stunning defensive performance to beat the Blasters on their own patch and continue their unbeaten start to the league.

With their win in Kochi, Bengaluru FC have picked up 16 points from their first six games in ISL 2024-254, their joint highest such tally in any season in competition history (also in 2018-19 season); in fact, it was their first away win in 12 games, snapping their longest such streak in competition history (D4 L8). This brilliant start to their campaign is built on their robust defensive setup, something which their opponents have been yearning for quite some time.

Kerala Blasters FC have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 17 ISL games, the longest such active streak by any side in the competition. Despite a strong attack, their defensive lapses have seen them win just two out of their first six matches this season. They could do well to take a leaf out of their rivals’ book.

Alaeddine Ajaraie equals Elano’s record

With his goal against Jamshedpur FC, Alaaeddine Ajaraie has now scored in each of his first six games in the ISL, equaling Elano’s record of scoring in most consecutive games since their debut in the competition; in fact, only Ferran Corominas and Abdenasser El Khayati (11 each) have recorded more goal contributions in their first six games in the competition than Ajaraie – 10 (7G 3A).

It wasn’t just Ajaraie that was breaking records for the Highlanders on Saturday. Parthib Gogoi too entered the record books. He now has 10 goals in the ISL, making him the youngest player to reach the landmark (21y 270d) in competition history; this was also the first time he has scored a brace in the competition.

Light at the end of the tunnel for Hyderabad FC

Hyderabad FC notched up their first win of the season and did so in some style as a hostile Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata where Mohammedan SC fans had packed the stands in support of their team.

However, it was Thangboi Singto’s young Hyderabad FC powered by the arrival of their foreign players that stunned the crowd. The impact of the overseas players was evident as Allan Paulista netted a brace while Stefan Sapic scored a goal in their 4-0 triumph. Parag Shrivas was also on the scoresheet highlighting the importance of Indian players who have ISL experience under their belt.

It was just their second win since the start of the last season but signs in Kolkata suggest that Hyderabad FC are well and truly on their path to restoring their lost glory.

Jahouh’s unwanted record

Ahmed Jahouh is one of the best midfielders to play in the ISL and owns almost all passing records in the league. A league Shield winner with FC Goa and Mumbai City FC, Jahouh has been a master in midfield. However, on Sunday he made another record to his name, something he would rather avoid.

Jahouh received his fifth red card in the ISL, which is the most by any player in the competition; Jahouh is the most carded player in competition history (43 yellow cards and 5 red cards).

The Moroccan would want to make amends in this aspect as his team nearly paid a big price for his dismissal.