The past three months of Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2018-19 has been a memorable period for the Indian footballing fraternity. With 59 matches played, the league will take a short break as the attention turns to the AFC Asian Cup 2019, which kicks off in January. Given the month-long break, we have plenty of time to reflect on some of the highlights over the course of the opening half of the season. First up, we analyse some of the major trends and talking points.

The last matchweek of 2018 comes to an end and it's @bengalurufc who will enter the new year as the #HeroISL table-toppers with @MumbaiCityFC hot on their heels!#LetsFootball #FanBannaPadega pic.twitter.com/NWiFL2YW9Q

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) December 16, 2018

Title defence in tatters

Given their title winning heroics during the 2017-18 campaign, the onus was on the rest of the teams in the league to catch up with Chennaiyin FC. However, all has not gone according to plan for the southerners, who have looked like a shadow of their former selves. After 12 matches, Chennaiyin find themselves rock-bottom in the league table having collected a mere five points. Their disastrous title defence has led to questions being asked of John Gregory and Co.

However, the problem with Chennaiyin cannot just be limited to one area of the pitch. At the back, the absence of former club captain Henrique Sereno has been evident for all to see. Chennaiyin have conceded the most goals so far (24). Upfront, their once talismanic forward Jeje Lalpekhlua has had an abysmal time, failing to find the back of the net so far. With John Gregory admitting that a playoff spot is no longer on the cards, a successful AFC Cup campaign could serve as their only source of redemption.

Everyone’s got the Bengaluru Blues

After a disappointing pre-season campaign, questions were raised concerning new head coach Carles Cuadrat’s ability to successfully lead Bengaluru. However, the Spaniard has emphatically silenced his critics, guiding the Blues to an unprecedented 27 points from 11 matches. What’s even more impressive is that they have achieved this feat without losing a single match. Bengaluru have been head and shoulders above the chasing pack and it would take a brave man to bet against them going all the way this time.

Surprise packages

Coming into the new season, the likes of Bengaluru, Chennaiyin and ATK were billed as the favourites to be competing for the Hero ISL trophy. However, NorthEast United and Mumbai City have taken the league by storm with consistent performances. Under head coach Eelco Schattorie, Northeast United are enjoying their best-ever spell to date and currently sit in fourth position with 20 points. The charismatic Dutchman has transformed the Highlanders into a well organised team, spearheaded by Bartholomew Ogbeche and Federico Gallego.

Mumbai have had an even better 2018-19 season, sitting in second spot with 24 points on the board. After a slow start, Jorge Costa’s men have won six of their last eight matches. Their success this season has largely been down to the trio of Paulo Machado, Arnold Issoko and Moudou Sougou, who’ve all produced match-winning performances at various times. Looking at their current form, a spot in next year’s playoffs is all but certain.

India’s most consistent performers

After 59 matches, a total of 53 goals have been scored by Indians. Throughout the first half of the campaign, we have seen a number of India’s best deliver consistent performances week in week out. The usual suspects - Sunil Chhetri, Udanta Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Amrinder Singh - have been in the thick of the action, putting in several stellar displays. Rahul Bheke has been another standout player for Bengaluru. The right-back has been one of the finest defenders in the league and has also chipped in with a few important goals.

However, the biggest revelations so far have been the performances of two youngsters – Michael Soosairaj and Sahal Abdul Samad. Soosairaj has been one of the most dangerous wingers in the league with his explosive pace and silky feet. The highlight of his season was the match against FC Goa, when he single-handedly took Jamshedpur to victory.

Despite Kerala’s disastrous campaign, Sahal’s been the one silver-lining for David James. The midfielder has heavily featured for Kerala at the centre of the park and was even awarded a spot in Stephen Constantine’s 34-man probable squad for the AFC Asian Cup.