THERE haven’t been too many Englishmen to emerge with credit from this World Cup but referee Howard Webb has definitely bucked the trend.

The Rotherham official deserves to be given the final based on his three performances in the competition so far – not forgetting his assistants Darren Cann or Mike Mullarkey – but yesterday it was his display in front of the camera that left me impressed.

Webb fronted up to answer questions in the light of Sepp Blatter’s unexpected apology to England and Mexico for the officiating decisions that cost them so dear in the respective matches in the last 16.

He spoke sensibly and eloquently about the pros and cons of implementing ideas such as goal-line technology – which FIFA have pledged to re-address in the light of last weekend’s palaver.

None of us expect Blatter to change a habit of a lifetime and actually improve the game by bringing in such ideas, perish the thought, but it’s great to see a top-class referee taking the chance to air his views at a time when they are genuinely relevant.

Meanwhile my bet for tournament, Spain, continued their gradual improvement with a hard-fought win against Portugal, but Fernando Torres continues to stink the place out with his performances up front.

This is not the striker who has, when fit, rivalled Wayne Rooney and Didier Drogba for the title of best striker in the Premier League.

But, looking at their displays in this tournament, that’s hardly a ringing endorsement is it?