Unfortunately, that ambition suffered an early setback as Halil Dervisoglu put the visitors ahead in the 22nd minute. The forward who is on loan from Brentford headed a well-taken corner kick from Gedson Fernandes past goalkeeper Abdulkadir Sunger.
Ten minutes before the half-time break, Ryan Babel doubled their advantage from the penalty spot following Muhammet Ozkal’s challenge on him in the box.
Akbaba could have given Galatasaray a three-goal advantage but his shot from the penalty spot in the 42nd minute was saved by Sunger.
Already demoted to the second tier, Denizlispor put up an improved performance in the second half. That paid off in the 62nd minute as Recep Niyaz reduced the deficit.
Although he is yet to start a league match since he arrived in Istanbul, the Port Harcourt-born attacker has made five substitute appearances in this campaign.
Earlier in the encounter, Belhanda assisted Emre Akbaba to open the scoring in the sixth minute before Feghouli doubled their lead in the 17th minute.
Ryan Donk made it 3-0 just before half-time while Belhanda found the back of the net in the 64th minute, four minutes after Muhammet Ozkal turned the ball into the back of his team's net.
Super Eagles midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo who is currently on loan from Stoke City, was introduced in the 69th minute while his compatriot Valentine Ozornwafor was an unused substitute for Galatasaray.
Although he is yet to start a league match since he arrived in Istanbul, the Port Harcourt-born attacker has made five substitute appearances in this campaign.
Earlier in the encounter, Belhanda assisted Emre Akbaba to open the scoring in the sixth minute before Feghouli doubled their lead in the 17th minute.
Ryan Donk made it 3-0 just before half-time while Belhanda found the back of the net in the 64th minute, four minutes after Muhammet Ozkal turned the ball into the back of his team's net.
Super Eagles midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo who is currently on loan from Stoke City, was introduced in the 69th minute while his compatriot Valentine Ozornwafor was an unused substitute for Galatasaray.