The Napoli coach says that the Italian league’s top scorer can go to another level if he plays with even greater determination

Maurizio Sarri says Gonzalo Higuain can “become an extra-terrestrial” after watching the in-form striker fire Napoli to the summit of the Serie A standings on Monday.

Higuain struck twice as the Partenopei defeated 10-man Inter 2-1 in a dramatic encounter at the San Paolo to displace Roberto Mancini’s men at the top of the table.

Sarri was full of praise for the Argentina international, who now has 12 goals from his 14 Serie A outings so far this season, but argued that the former Real Madrid striker can still improve.

“It depends on him,” the Napoli boss told Sky Sport Italia. “If Higuain makes another step forward psychologically, then he can become an extra-terrestrial.

“He needs to be even more determined because he can become even better.”

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Sarri also feels that his team still have much to work on, after they very nearly blew a two-goal lead against former league leaders Inter.

Higuain opened the scoring after just over a minute of play and, after Yuto Nagatomo was sent off just before the break, the forward struck again midway through the second half to put the hosts in complete control.

However, Adem Ljajic’s low strike set up a frantic finale in which Inter twice struck the woodwork in injury time, through Stevan Jovetic and Miranda.

“Until the Inter goal we were dominating,” Sarri added. “In my view, we considered it to be a done deal when 2-0 up and got distracted, making the kind of mistakes we don’t usually do.

“We got confused and disorganised. I think anxiety set in too after the goal and fatigue after the Europa League in midweek added to everything.

“Napoli is a wonderful environment to experience, but a very difficult one to control. Knowing the humility of my players, I think we can remain what we’ve always been.

“But there’s no point talking [about the title] now, as there are another 72 points up for grabs. And with 31 so far, we haven’t even guaranteed safety from relegation!

“Tomorrow the team will sit down and talk about what we can improve, so I’ll be giving them a real telling-off about that final 20-minute spell.”