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Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he remembers the thrilling final moments of Swansea's remarkable turnaround victory against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. The game ended with Galbraith temporarily wearing a supporter's spectacles after the pitch-side pile-on.

With the clock ticking into the 97th minute, Galbraith struck the post with a long-range shot from outside the box, and his teammate immediately slammed home the deflection before charging toward the East Stand to mark the goal, with supporters mobbing the players.

Extraordinary Turnaround

The result sealed an extraordinary turnaround given the team had been behind 2-0 deep into the final 45 minutes. Amid the delirium, there was some minor mishaps. Galbraith explained, "There was a spectator trying to get our attention and myself and Keysy [Josh Key] were thinking: 'What's he on about here?' Then we spotted the glasses. It was a light-hearted moment putting them on. We are on the pitch as footballers but we're people, too, so to have a joke with the fans is always good."

Manchester City Challenge

The result earned a next round fixture at home against Manchester City on Wednesday, a club Galbraith ran close at the equivalent round of the FA Cup with Leyton Orient in February. He had an excellent perspective when his former team took the lead in stunning style, with a teammate's volley from about 45 yards going in via the woodwork and the Stefan Ortega. It seems unfair that it was deemed an own goal.

"You would have hoped they would've given it to him for having a go from that distance," stated Galbraith, who played in the middle before moving to right flank after they changed shape. That meant getting to grips with City's winger, with whom he swapped shirts, and the winger was among the Manchester squad who paid tribute to the way his former team played positively.

Guardiola's System

"Fitness-wise they are outstanding but even the fundamentals and routine actions, they can just execute repeatedly," the midfielder notes. "It seems as if they complete every delivery and they know how to dictate and neutralize a game. You can feel you're all right and then suddenly they will just deliver a through ball past your midfield without you even noticing. You have to be switched on every second of the game. It takes a resilient mindset and attention just to remain competitive."

New Chapter

The club were keen on Galbraith in January and secured his signature to sign him in the summer in a seven-figure transfer. He became a favorite as a fans' favourite across multiple campaigns at Orient and has rapidly achieved similar status in south Wales. At his previous team he joined forces once more with his former manager, who previously gave Galbraith his first extended run in senior football on loan at a League One side from Old Trafford. Then came a temporary move at lower division Salford, before he departed his boyhood club.

Development Path

"I was perhaps a somewhat inexperienced going into professional soccer. I think a lot of players would say development squad matches is entirely separate. Sometimes it feels like the ball is moved without much intensity. There are limited physical contests. Once you start playing men's games you have to learn quickly."

National Team Success

He has shown that development for his team and nation, excelling for Northern Ireland, who are fighting to qualify for the global tournament next summer via the qualifying rounds and for whom he has started the recent fixtures, including both legs fixtures against Germany. His former international manager, Galbraith's ex- international manager, paid him the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he manipulates the ball and his knack for a game-changing assist.

Starting Out

It has been an incredible journey for the youngster from the local area in his hometown, just outside the capital, who was raised observing his dad, his father, also a engine room operator, play for Ballyclare Comrades.

Old Trafford Memory

Galbraith's single match for Manchester United came in the away trip in 2019, a Europa League trip to the Kazakh capital, where they featured on an artificial pitch and the venue ceiling was closed owing to temperatures of bitter cold. "That proved to be a long trip and it was freezing," he says, chuckling. "The preceding week, several youth players and I practiced as a group, so that aided our adjustment. Just to travel with the first team and earn some playing time at the end was unbelievable."

Leaving United

How hard was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he signed from his boyhood team aged a teenager? "This turned out quite easy, because I got to the stage where I realized I couldn't establish myself at first-team level. I'm extremely thankful for the experience gained but it became apparent where I believed I needed to go my own route, join a smaller club and play men's football. Now I'm slowly climbing the ladder."

New Environment

It is the middle of the day at the club's training ground but Galbraith has an appointment at late afternoon: a driving theory test, another step towards getting on the road. Before his recent move to Sketty, the young professional was a constant rider in Swansea's dubbed team minibus, a team vehicle driven by academy staff, Pete and Howard, which transports players to and from training and matches.

"I travel with a teammate, Ronald, Malick Yalcouyé – the Swedish defender used to be in it but has got his license. It's nice to interact with the teammates but I'm planning to be the following person to drive independently and driving. Franco likes to pull a few pranks; he's always up to all sorts."

Fan Interactions

During his time at Leyton Orient, Galbraith would blend in with fans on London's Central line after starting his journey at Brentwood. "I tried|I attempted|My aim