Hero Indian Super League 2016 has seen all eight clubs begin their season with renewed verve and self-belief in its opening week. While perennial title contenders in FC Goa and defending champions Chennaiyin FC have been slow off the blocks, the three teams never to have made it to the semis – Mumbai City FC, FC Pune City and NorthEast United FC - have turned heads with a strong start to the season. However, it’s still early days in the season and the age-old adage ‘it’s not how you start but how you finish’ may yet come to pass as we get closer to December. With that in mind, here are a few trends and trend breakers to have emerged from the first week of Hero ISL 2016.

Chennaiyin’s domestic stars

The only trend that wasn’t bucked in the opening week of Hero ISL 2016 was that the first Indian scorer in the league always comes from Chennaiyin FC. Unlike their notorious record that has seen them concede more penalties (11) than any other side in the league’s history, this will surely be a record the Super Machans will be proud of. Balwant Singh became the first ever Indian player to score in the Hero ISL in its inaugural season and Jeje Lalpekhlua followed suit for the southern-outfit in Hero ISL 2015. Jayesh Rane’s 66th-minute strike against Atlético de Kolkata ensured Chennaiyin keep their proud record intact.

Travel blues

Mumbai City FC and FC Pune City look like completely different propositions this year. Mumbai are the only team yet to be beaten in the league, whereas the Stallions’ fighting 2-1 victory over FC Goa shows they are capable of beating anyone on their day. What is visible to the naked eye has also been backed by numbers after a 1-0 away win at Pune for Mumbai and Pune’s win over the Gaurs at Fatorda. With those wins, both clubs have equalled their tally for away wins over the entirety of the past two seasons.

Strong starts

Head coaches Alexandre Guimaraes and Nelo Vingada seem to be leaving nothing to chance with Mumbai City FC and NorthEast United FC respectively. Traditionally known for being slow starters, Mumbai and NorthEast are looking to get ahead of the rest of the field with strong starts to their season. They both won their opening two matches of the campaign, making it their best ever start to a Hero ISL season. Mumbai claimed their first ever opening-match win in the league, whereas NorthEast registered their maiden win over FC Goa in their second match of the season. Both MCFC and Highlanders fans will be hoping that their starts stand them in good stead come the business end of the season.