Not a chance lad, Valencia grabbed him by the fucking throat... that's violent conduct and an instant red. I'm not having anyone saying that someone can grab our Raheem by the throat and it be allowed on a footy pitch, red card all day long, debate the Sterling challenge all you want, but that was fucking disgusting by Valencia, experienced pro should know better.
Experienced pro can't stand a better, younger, classier player with the balls to tackle him. So, the experienced pro, twice as large as his opponent, beaten to the ball by the younger better player, his sense of entitlement ravaged, attacks from behind, round the neck, with his pals close by.
Raheem's reaction? Nothing. No petulance, no jumping, no anything he might have been justified in. Nothing. And he took an undeserved red card the same way, though he was clearly surprised at it. He just walked. Small is Raheem, but hard is Raheem, a true jewel. A player as good as Raheem who does not rile is a dangerously beautiful commodity.
Now twice he's on for Rooney. So even Hodgson dares think what the future is, and that maybe the future is at hand. If England are to get anywhere, Raheem will star.
And if Valencia ever plays against Liverpool again, there will be half-a-dozen doing tag on him all game long. As also, from his showing tonight, might well be expected from Ecuador's group opponents: Tag the *un*, he don't like it up 'im.