Napoli coach Rafael Benitez was disappointed his side did not make the most of their opportunities during their narrow Serie A victory over Genoa on Monday night.

Striker Gonzalo Higuain scored twice as Napoli moved back to the third position in the league standings. However Napoli’s 2-1 victory was not without its share of controversy.

Higuain’s opening goal could have been ruled out for offside, while the Argentina international earned the Azzurri all three points from the penalty spot after an infringement which was hard to spot following Iago Falque’s leveller for Genoa.

Napoli spurned several clear-cut chances to ensure the controversies would not matter, with Jonathan De Guzman guilty of the most glaring misses.

Benitez told his club’s official website, www.sscnapoli.it: “The victory is deserved, but the result is tight, we had to score more.

“Yes, I am angry... I cannot be happy with the many untapped opportunities.”

Positive side

Benitez praised his side’s character against Genoa as they fought on after their opponents had levelled the scores 11 minutes into the second half.

He added: “I must also look at the positive side represented by the character of the team that has always sought success and has been able to react after an equaliser.

“In football I’ve seen a lot and I know that when games of this kind do not get closed out, anything can happen.

“But it cannot be questioned that Napoli won sharply, we have created a lot more (chances) than Genoa and we earned the three points.”

Napoli nevertheless celebrated three important points which took them back above both Sampdoria and Lazio into third, where they are just six points behind second-placed Roma ahead of Sunday’s clash at struggling Chievo.