Jose Mourinho delivered a scathing assessment of the officiating and claimed the "worst team won" after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored the decisive goal for Besiktas to halt Fenerbahce's five-game winning run.
Since being appointed as the coach of the Turkish heavyweights in June, Mourinho faced setbacks early on with an exit from Champions League qualification at Lille's hands and defeats in the league. However, before this latest clash, Fenerbahce had hit a rich vein of form, narrowing the lead held by Galatasaray.
But it was fourth-placed Besiktas, searching for their first win in five outings, who emerged victorious in the derby courtesy of ex-Liverpool star Oxlade-Chamberlain's 73rd-minute strike - his first goal of the season - much to Mourinho's dismay.
Arne Slot just got a double Liverpool boost and another Premier League advantage is coming
Mohamed Salah and Liverpool finally reach compromise over contract to end saga
In the aftermath, the ex-Chelsea and Manchester United manager did not mince his words: "We deserved at least a draw. The match was under our control, but we couldn't finish it. I congratulate the referee and Besiktas. The worst team won. Although we weren't perfect, I think we were better, but they took advantage of their only chance. We will continue to fight for the championship."
This is not unfamiliar territory for Mourinho, already having a history of explosive critiques aimed at refereeing in Turkey earlier this season following a victory over Trabzonspor.
He stated: "Today, the man of the match was [VAR referee] Atilla Karaoglan. We didn't see him, but he was the referee of the match. The referee was just a little boy who was there on the pitch, but the referee was Atilla Karaoglan.
"He went from the invisible man to the most important man of the match. I speak on behalf of all Fenerbahce fans: we don't want him again. We don't want him because it smells bad. We don't want him. We don't want him on the pitch, but on the VAR even less.
Jose Mourinho speaks to the officials (Image: Serhat Cagdas/Anadolu via Getty Images)
"I know what I was told, even before I came. I didn't believe. It's even worse than I was told. But I prefer to be on this side. It's more difficult. It's more difficult because we play against good opponents like Trabzonspor is: good opponent with lots of good players and a historical coach. But we play against a system. And to play against a system is the most difficult thing.
"Tonight we play against a good team, against a strong atmosphere, against VAR, and against a system. So very hard. That's why we celebrated this victory so much. It's unbelievable to win this match against so many powerful people. We are not going to give up. We know what we have. I blame the Fenerbahce people that brought me here!
"They told me only half of the truth. They didn't tell me the whole truth, because if they told me the whole truth I wouldn't come! But with half of the truth, with my boys we fight the opponent, we fight the system."
Since signing for Besiktas in 2023, Oxlade-Chamberlain has found the back of the net five times across 34 appearances. Sharing his thoughts on Instagram, he expressed his joy: "Derby day delight! Glad I could contribute with a goal! We have to build from here."