'It's like they never miss a pass': The Swans' Ethan Galbraith continues clash with Pep's side.

Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he reminisces about the dramatic closing stages of Swansea's remarkable turnaround victory against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. The encounter wrapped up with Galbraith picking up a supporter's spectacles after the pitch-side pile-on.

With the clock ticking into the 97th minute, Galbraith cracked the upright with a speculative effort from distance, and the defender quickly converted the rebound before sprinting toward the East Stand to mark the goal, with fans mobbing the players.

Extraordinary Turnaround

This completed an incredible recovery given the team had trailed 2-0 during the second half. In the delirium, there was some collateral damage. Galbraith explained, "There was a supporter trying to get our attention and we were thinking: 'What's he on about here?' Then we saw the glasses. It was a bit of banter putting them on. We are on the pitch as athletes but we're people, too, so to have a bit of craic with the fans is always good."

Pep Guardiola Test

The victory earned a next round match at home against Manchester City on Wednesday, a team Galbraith ran close at the comparable phase of the FA Cup with the London side in February. Galbraith had a prime vantage point when his former team took the lead in remarkable manner, with Jamie Donley's first-time shot from about 45 yards going in via the woodwork and the City goalkeeper. It seems unfair that it was deemed an own goal.

"You would have hoped they would've credited him for taking the effort on from that far out," commented Galbraith, who started in midfield before switching to right flank after Orient changed formation. That meant getting to grips with the England international, with whom he swapped shirts, and the player was among the opposition who praised the way Orient attacked the game.

Guardiola's System

"Fitness-wise they are very good but even the basics and basic skills, they can just execute repeatedly," the midfielder notes. "It appears that they always find their target and they understand how to control and slow down a game. You can feel you're holding your own and then without warning they will just thread a ball through a line without you even seeing. You have to be alert throughout of the game. It demands a resilient mindset and attention just to keep pace."

Swansea Move

Swansea pushed to sign Galbraith in January and secured his signature to secure him in the summer in a seven-figure transfer. He established himself as a crowd pleaser across multiple campaigns at Orient and has quickly achieved similar status in his new home. At Orient he linked up again with his former manager, who four years ago gave Galbraith his debut prolonged spell in first-team action on loan at a League One side from United. Then came a temporary move at fourth-tier Salford, before he moved on from his boyhood club.

Learning Curve

"I was likely a bit naive going into men's football. I think numerous professionals would say under-23s football is completely distinct. Sometimes it feels like the ball is moved without much intensity. You see few hard challenges. Once you start playing men's games you have to adapt rapidly."

Country Call-ups

He has shown that growth for club and country, shining for his national side, who remain in contention for the global tournament next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has started the past five games, including both legs encounters against Germany. The ex-coach, Galbraith's former international manager, paid him the ultimate compliment, saying he was Northern Ireland's "creative maestro" given how he handles the football and his knack for a decisive through ball.

Starting Out

It has been an incredible journey for the kid from the Queens Park estate in Glengormley, just outside the capital, who was raised observing his dad, Stuart, also a central player, play for Ballyclare Comrades.

Red Devils Debut

The player's single match for United came in the away trip in 2019, a continental tournament trip to the Kazakh capital, where they competed on an synthetic surface and the venue ceiling was sealed owing to the weather of bitter cold. "It was a lengthy journey and it was chilly," he comments, grinning. "The week before, the academy prospects trained together, so that helped us acclimatise. Just to join the main group and get a couple of minutes at the end was incredible."

Departing Old Trafford

How hard was it to depart Manchester United, the club he joined from Linfield aged his mid-teens? "It was quite easy, because I arrived at the moment where I understood I wouldn't break through at the senior squad. I'm hugely grateful for the experience gained but it reached a stage where I felt I needed to go my own route, drop down the leagues and play men's football. Now I'm gradually climbing the ladder."

New Environment

This occurs during 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 move in the direction of getting on the road. Prior to relocating to Sketty, the young professional was a regular in Swansea's nicknamed player transport, a small coach driven by academy staff, the transport team, which shuttles players to and from sessions and fixtures.

"I travel with a teammate, Ronald, the midfielder – Melker Widell used to be in it but has got his license. It's nice to interact with the guys but I'm planning to be the subsequent individual to stop using the bus and behind the wheel. His teammate likes to pull a few pranks; he's constantly causing mischief."

Fan Interactions

While playing for Orient, Galbraith would travel alongside followers on the Tube after beginning his trip at his base. "I tried|I attempted|My aim