As Manchester United, like Arsenal and Manchester City before them were humbled on the European stage in midweek, the infernal debate about what the best league in Europe rages on. Even Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger felt the urge to discuss the matter during his pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrows visit to Stoke. Anointing the BPL the best, Wenger trotted out the top to bottom competiveness theory. What cant be denied though is that English football is never too far away from grabbing the football headlines. This weeks offering began with a slip of the Mourinho lips. Then we had the national manager waxing lyrical about the possibility of adding a Penalty Psychologist to his Brazil bound backroom staff and how about this mornings revelation Sir Alex Ferguson attributes six of the best as a school boy influenced his managerial ways. Mourinho was clearly agitated and embarrassed when he faced the media Tuesday following the publication less than 24 hours earlier of disparaging remarks he made about Torres, Etoo and Demba Ba to a senior executive of a club partner. Unbeknown to Mourinho, what he thought was a private conversation ahead of a scheduled interview, was in fact been taped by a French TV channel. Who in turn published it for the world to see on their website. Using the old adage the best form of defense is attack, The Happy One launched into the media labeling them a disgrace for publishing extracts of that conversation - which included mocking Etoo and wondering out loud if he was actually older than his stated age. Torres had the last laugh though by responding to his managers harsh words in the most effective way possible by putting Chelsea up early in Wednesdays first leg against Galatasaray. It was no laughing matter not long after the final whistle in Istanbul when Chelsea revealed the club would be immortalized on the small screen in an upcoming edition of the Simpsons. In which a number of players, including Torres will feature in an episode where Bart Simpson plays referee. The week for Torres though didnt end on a happy note. We learnt earlier today and long with Manchester Uniteds Juan Mata both players had been omitted from Spains squad for next weeks prestigious friendly match against the 2006 World Cup winners, Italy. Roy Hodgson who named Toronto FCs Jermaine Defoe in his squad for the March 5 friendly at Wembley versus Denmark yesterday, made news earlier in the week when addressing England penalty woes at tournaments. The England manager, along with all other managers of the 32 nations going to this summers World Cup Finals, has just returned from visiting Brazil let it be known earlier in the week he is giving serious thought to having a psychologist at his disposal as ways to improve on Englands inability to win penalty shootouts. Hodgson experienced penalty misery first hand at Euro 2012 when Italy eliminated England in the quarter finals but certainly does not want to suffer that same fate for a team that has bowed out on penalties in six of the last 10 major tournaments they have qualified for. One of world footballs most dubious of records only once over this period have England progressed from the Achilles Heel of a penalty shootout. This occurring when they edged out Spain at EURO 96 - only then to fail at the next hurdle, Germany beating England on penalties in the semifinal. Hodgson isnt the first England World Cup manager to make the headlines for matters of the mind. As part of final preparations for the 1998 Finals the-then England manager Glen Hoddle arranged for a faith healer to visit the England camp before their departure to France. Such were part of Hoddles unorthodox methods, the ex-Manchester United captain Gary Neville revealed in his 2011 autobiography Hoddle had requested his staff walk around the pitch anti-clockwise as ways to create positive energy before their round of 16 match against Argentina. A match won, by you guessed it, Argentina on penalties. Paired in a group this summer with Uruguay and Italy my how the legions of England fans who will journey to Brazil would dearly love to face the possibility of a penalty shootout. At least this would signify England had successfully made it out of a difficult group. Sir Alex Ferguson who tasted penalty glory himself in the 2008 Champions League Final made it on to the back pages today when it was revealed in the London Times that as a school boy he often found himself in trouble. Not only that, but Ferguson disclosed he felt the corporal punishment he received because of his bad boy ways went a long way to helping shape his hair dryer ways. He also revealed the belt which was used now hangs proudly on the wall of his study at home. With Manchester United not in action this weekend as their scheduled opponent, Manchester City play Sunderland in Sundays League Cup Final, perhaps it might be an idea if Ferguson invites David Moyes over for a cup of tea. In a BPL season which continues to shock, and will do so until mid May, tomorrows action throws up potential banana skins for each of the clubs who currently sit in the Champions League slots. The West London derby sees the current leaders Chelsea, paying a visit to the worst club, Fulham who are desperate for a win. Especially so after coughing up an 86th minute equalizer away to West Brom last Saturday, welcome to the BPL Felix Magath. Arsenal, with a well-rested Mezut Ozil expected to return following his own penalty demons, are sure to be weary of Stokes direct approach. While Liverpool wont need reminding of their early season 0-1 reversal at home to Southampton - result which knocked them off the top spot. Even though his club arent playing, whats the odds occasional Manchester United bad boy Wayne Rooney does not feature prominently come Sundays tabloid headlines? You can reach and follow Noel Butler at:Noel.Butler@BellMedia.ca@TheSoccerNoel TSN & TEAM Radio is your exclusive BPL radio home this season. Saturdays double header action features, Fulham v Chelsea with kickoff at 10am et/7am pt and Southampton v Liverpool with kickoff 12:30pm et/9:30am pt Stitched Rays Jerseys .Y. - Alex Smith and the Kansas City Chiefs didnt flinch in the face of adversity. Nate Lowe Rays Jersey . Warren made six birdies and a bogey for a 5-under total of 139 to sit one shot ahead of Felipe Aguilar of Chile, who carded a 69. David Horsey of England was also on 5 under through 15 holes to join Warren atop the leaderboard before play was stopped. https://www.cheapraysonline.com/1566i-tr...ersey-rays.html. Toronto announced the deal with the restricted free agent on Saturday. The terms were not disclosed. Anthony Banda Jersey . Stiverne stopped Chris Arreola in the sixth round Saturday night, claiming the WBC heavyweight title belt vacated by Vitali Klitschko. Jose De Leon Jersey .Mateo Kovacic and Andrea Ranocchia scored for Inter, which had goalkeeper Samir Handanovic to thank for several crucial saves.Its an important victory against a Chievo side which plays well, Mancini said.IRVING, Texas - Zack Martins best test so far of durability as a pro came with a right ankle injury serious enough to keep him out of practice for a week with the Cowboys.The rookie right guards response: Im playing.It certainly fits with everything I know about him, Dallas coach Jason Garrett said. Hes a little bit of a throwback. He reminds you of linemen who played 25 years ago. He just has this way about him.Martin is possibly the last first-round piece of a rebuilt offensive line for the Cowboys, a versatile blocker with more starts at Notre Dame than anyone in school history. And now hes the first rookie lineman named to the Pro Bowl in Dallas franchise history.Its kind of an exclamation point on the season that hes had, said centre Travis Frederick, a first-round pick last year and another first-time Pro Bowl player. We talked about it several times throughout the season, how hes never really come in and played like a rookie. Hes always played like a veteran.Tyron Smith, a two-time Pro Bowl pick at left tackle, was Dallas top choice from 2011.Martins resolve was tested just weeks after the Cowboys picked him at No. 16. He was already the guy Dallas took instead of Johnny Manziel, who was unexpectedly still on the board. And then he got caught up in a play that ended standout linebacker Sean Lees season in the first full squad workout of the off-season.Lee was about to engage with Martin in a noncontact drill when his left knee gave way, tearing the anterior cruciate ligament. There was video for all to see, and it was easy to forget that Lees knee buckled before Martin rolled over the top of him.Martin stood tall when he was questioned about the play by reporters.It sucks to be kind of grouped into that play and him getting hurt, Martin said at the time. I think he would say it first over anyone. Youve got to move forward.And that was the message from many of the veterans who pulled Martin aside, including Lee and tight end Jason Witten.ddddddddddddarry Hiestand, Martins line coach at Notre Dame, knew from the outset that his old pupil wouldnt have trouble getting over the Lee incident, promising that hes not reliving it.Martin has spent the last five months proving it as a key component of soon-to-be NFL rushing champion DeMarco Murrays pursuit of all-time league leader Emmitt Smiths franchise record from 19 years ago. He has 1,745 yards, needing 29 yards to beat Smiths total of 1,773.The 24-year-old Martin sprained his right ankle in a win at Philadelphia that gave the Cowboys the NFC East lead, and played without practicing in a division-clinching win over Indianapolis last week.He came out only after the 42-7 victory was in hand, and now hes practicing again with Dallas (11-4) visiting Washington (4-11) in the regular-season finale Sunday.The trainers did a great job all week getting the swelling and all of that stuff out of there, Martin said. So it was really just getting comfortable with it and running around.Hiestands lasting memory of Martin is the way he would come to meetings every day with a vibe that said, Hey, coach, dont worry about this. We got this stuff.These days its more like Im going to keep my mouth shut and work. Hes sure thats the best way to make it as a lineman in the NFL.And hes well on his way to making it.I think you can tell hes a natural leader, Witten said. Obviously, hes very gifted, very composed for a young player being thrown in the trenches day one. Hes got a bright future.And thats what Witten thought long before Martin made a little Pro Bowl history for the tradition-rich Cowboys.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow Schuyler Dixon on Twitter at https://twitter.com/apschuyler ' ' '