TEAMtalk : Ten-man Stoke lost their unbeaten Europa League record and had to settle for second place in Group E as Besiktas triumphed 3-1 in Istanbul.
With the Potters having already qualified for the last 32, boss Tony Pulis left all 11 players who started against Tottenham last weekend at home but then saw his side take an unlikely 29th-minute lead through Ricardo Fuller.
Asmir Begovic had been superb in keeping Besiktas at bay but in the 59th minute Manuel Fernandes equalised from the penalty spot after Matthew Upson was sent off for felling Hugo Almeida, and goals from substitutes Mustafa Pektemek and Edu secured the points.
Pulis left winger Jermaine Pennant on the bench amid reports of a rift between the pair, with the former Arsenal man named as one of only four substitutes while Besiktas were without dangermen Ricardo Quaresma and Simao through injury.
This always looked Stoke’s toughest test in the group irrespective of team selection, and those fears were quickly realised as the hosts raced out of the blocks.
The Inonu Stadium is officially the loudest in the world and it was rocking as the Besiktas fans celebrated the release from jail this week of popular manager and former player Tayfur Havutcu after five months.
He is expected to face trial in February on match-fixing charges and interim boss Carlos Carvalhal remained in charge tonight, but the news added fuel to an already highly-charged occasion.
In the early stages, the only thing standing between Besiktas and the lead they craved was Begovic, who saved well from Fabian Ernst, Veli Kavlak and Almeida.
Cameron Jerome missed a glorious chance for Stoke from virtually their first attack in the 16th minute, but 13 minutes later Fuller did give the visitors an unlikely advantage, picking up the ball 25 yards out and sending a shot in off defender Egemen Korkmaz.