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Ethan Galbraith grins broadly as he reminisces about the nail-biting dying seconds of his team's epic comeback triumph against Nottingham Forest in the League Cup. The encounter ended with Galbraith temporarily wearing a fan's glasses following the on-field celebration.

With the clock ticking into the 97th minute, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a long-range shot from distance, and his teammate promptly slammed home the rebound before racing off toward the crowd to mark the goal, with the crowd congregating around the players.

Stunning Reversal

The victory completed an incredible recovery given the team had found themselves down 2-0 deep into the second half. During the delirium, there was some unintended consequences. The midfielder recalled, "There was a supporter sort of calling out and Josh Key and I were wondering: 'What's he on about here?' Then we noticed the glasses. It was a light-hearted moment putting them on. We are on the pitch as athletes but we're humans, too, so to have a laugh with the fans is always good."

Pep Guardiola Test

That win secured a next round match at home against Pep Guardiola's side on Wednesday, a team Galbraith ran close at the comparable phase of the FA Cup with his former club in February. He had arguably the best view when Orient took the lead in remarkable manner, with a teammate's volley from about way out going in via the crossbar and the opposition keeper. It feels criminal that it was credited as an own goal.

"You would have wished they would've credited him for attempting the shot from that range," stated Galbraith, who began the game centrally before moving to right flank after the team changed shape. That meant facing off against the England international, with whom he swapped shirts, and the winger was among the City players who paid tribute to the way the underdogs played positively.

City's Quality

"Fitness-wise they are very good but even the basics and routine actions, they can just execute repeatedly," Galbraith says. "It feels like they complete every delivery and they know how to manage and slow down a game. You can think you're holding your own and then suddenly they will just deliver a through ball past your midfield without you even spotting it. You have to be switched on every second of the game. It demands a strong mentality and focus just to remain competitive."

New Chapter

The club pushed to sign Galbraith in January and beat off competition to sign him in the summer in a seven-figure transfer. He became a favorite as a fans' favourite across a couple of years at his former club and has quickly done the same in Wales. At his previous team he joined forces once more with Richie Wellens, who four years ago gave Galbraith his initial sustained opportunity in senior football on loan at a League One side from Manchester United. Then came a temporary move at fourth-tier the Manchester club, before he departed Manchester United.

Growth Journey

"I was likely a slightly green going into professional soccer. I think a lot of players would say development squad matches is completely distinct. Sometimes it feels like the ball is moved without real physicality. You see few physical contests. Once you start playing men's games you have to learn quickly."

National Team Success

He has demonstrated that development for club and country, excelling for his national side, who are fighting to qualify for the international competition next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has featured in the recent fixtures, including home and away fixtures against the German national team. The ex-coach, Galbraith's ex- international manager, paid him the ultimate compliment, saying he was Northern Ireland's "little Iniesta or Xavi" given how he handles the football and his eye for a decisive through ball.

Humble Beginnings

This represents a remarkable path for the youngster from the Queens Park estate in the Belfast suburb, just outside Belfast, who was raised observing his parent, Stuart, also a central player, play for Ballyclare Comrades.

Old Trafford Memory

His single match for the Red Devils came in the away trip in 2019, a continental tournament trip to Astana, where they played on an artificial pitch and the venue ceiling was sealed owing to the weather of bitter cold. "This represented a long trip and it was freezing," he comments, chuckling. "The week before, myself and quite a few of the young lads practiced as a group, so that aided our adjustment. Just to accompany the senior squad and earn some playing time at the end was unbelievable."

Leaving United

How difficult was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he joined from Linfield aged his mid-teens? "This turned out fairly simple, because I reached the point where I understood I couldn't establish myself at first-team level. I'm extremely thankful for the years at the club but it became apparent where I thought I needed to go my own route, move to a lower level and play professional soccer. Now I'm slowly climbing the ladder."

Welsh Adaptation

It is mid-afternoon at the team's practice facility but Galbraith has somewhere to be at late afternoon: a driving theory test, another progress toward getting on the road. Until recently to the local area, the 24-year-old was a constant rider in Swansea's so-called player transport, a minibus driven by team personnel, the transport team, which shuttles players to and from sessions and fixtures.

"I travel with the Portuguese player, Ronald, Malick Yalcouyé – Melker Widell used to be in it but has got his license. It's enjoyable to interact with the teammates but I'm aiming to be the next one to drive independently and behind the wheel. His teammate likes to pull a few pranks; he's frequently playing tricks."

Fan Interactions

During his time at his former club, Galbraith would mix with fans on London's Central line after commuting at Brentwood. "I tried|I attempted|My aim