'It's like they never miss a pass': Swansea's Ethan Galbraith continues contest with Pep's side.

Ethan Galbraith grins broadly as he remembers the thrilling dying seconds of his team's remarkable turnaround triumph against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. That match culminated with Galbraith temporarily wearing a supporter's spectacles amid the post-goal scrum.

As the match entered added time, Galbraith cracked the upright with a long-range effort from 25 yards, and his teammate promptly hammered in the rebound before sprinting toward the crowd to celebrate, with supporters mobbing the players.

Remarkable Recovery

The result capped an extraordinary recovery given the Welsh side had trailed 2-0 during the second half. Amid the celebrations, there was some collateral damage. Galbraith explained, "There was a supporter trying to get our attention and myself and Keysy [Josh Key] were wondering: 'What's he on about here?' Then we spotted the glasses. It was a funny incident putting them on. We are on the pitch as footballers but we're individuals, too, so to have a laugh with the fans is always good."

Pep Guardiola Test

The victory earned a fourth-round fixture at home against Manchester City on Wednesday, a club Galbraith came close against at the same stage of the FA Cup with Leyton Orient in February. Galbraith had an excellent perspective when Orient took the lead in spectacular fashion, with a teammate's first-time shot from about long distance going in via the crossbar and the City goalkeeper. Many argued that it was credited as an own goal.

"You would have hoped they would've awarded it to him for having a go from that far out," commented Galbraith, who began the game centrally before moving to right defensive wing after the team changed tactics. That meant competing with Jack Grealish, with whom he traded tops, and the winger was among the City players who praised the way the underdogs attacked the game.

City's Quality

"Fitness-wise they are exceptional but even the fundamentals and basic skills, they can just execute repeatedly," he explains. "It appears that they always find their target and they are adept at control and neutralize a game. You can think you're doing well and then suddenly they will just deliver a through ball between defenders without you even spotting it. You have to be focused at all times of the game. It takes a tough attitude and attention just to remain competitive."

New Chapter

The Welsh side were keen on Galbraith in January and secured his signature to secure him in the summer in a £1.5m deal. He established himself as a crowd pleaser across two seasons at his former club and has quickly achieved similar status in south Wales. At Orient he reunited with his former manager, who four years ago gave Galbraith his initial sustained opportunity in first-team action on loan at a League One side from Old Trafford. Then came a spell at fourth-tier the Manchester club, before he departed Old Trafford.

Learning Curve

"I was probably a slightly green going into professional soccer. I think numerous professionals would say development squad matches is completely distinct. Sometimes it feels like play is circulated without serious challenge. There's not many physical contests. Once you start playing first-team football you have to learn quickly."

National Team Success

He has shown that maturation for both domestically and internationally, excelling for Northern Ireland, who are fighting to qualify for the international competition next summer via the playoffs and for whom he has been selected in the recent fixtures, including both legs fixtures against a football powerhouse. Ian Baraclough, Galbraith's ex- international manager, paid him the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "little Iniesta or Xavi" given how he controls possession and his knack for a killer pass.

Starting Out

This marks quite the ride for the kid from the local area in the Belfast suburb, just outside the capital, who used to see his dad, the elder Galbraith, also a midfielder, play for his father's team.

Manchester United Experience

His sole appearance for United came in the away trip in 2019, a Europa League trip to Astana, where they competed on an plastic turf and the arena covering was sealed owing to temperatures of freezing cold. "That proved to be a extended travel and it was chilly," he recalls, smiling. "The days leading up, the academy prospects practiced as a group, so that helped us acclimatise. Just to travel with the first team and earn some playing time at the end was amazing."

Moving On

How hard was it to leave United, the club he signed from his boyhood team aged his mid-teens? "This turned out fairly simple, because I got to the stage where I realized I wasn't going to make it at the senior squad. I'm hugely grateful for the years at the club but it reached a stage where I felt I needed to go my own route, move to a lower level and play men's football. Now I'm gradually climbing the ladder."

New Environment

It is the early part of the afternoon at the club's training ground but Galbraith has a commitment at late afternoon: a learner's exam, another step towards getting on the road. Until recently to the local area, the young professional was a regular in Swansea's dubbed fun bus, a team vehicle driven by team personnel, the transport team, which transports players to and from training and matches.

"My companions include the Portuguese player, another squad member, an Ivorian player – the Swedish defender used to be in it but has got his license. It's nice to interact with the lads but I'm aiming to be the next one to stop using the bus and on the road. His teammate is known for his humor; he's always up to all sorts."

Fan Interactions

While playing for Leyton Orient, Galbraith would blend in with followers on London's Central line after commuting at the area he lived in. "I tried|I attempted|My aim