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Ethan Galbraith grins broadly as he recalls the thrilling final moments of his team's remarkable turnaround win against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. That match ended with Galbraith temporarily wearing a fan's glasses after the pitch-side pile-on.

As the match entered added time, Galbraith struck the post with a powerful strike from 25 yards, and the defender immediately slammed home the deflection before charging toward the crowd to celebrate, with supporters swarming the players.

Extraordinary Turnaround

The victory completed an unbelievable recovery given the team had found themselves down 2-0 during the final 45 minutes. During the euphoria, there was some unintended consequences. Galbraith explained, "There was a spectator shouting out and we were wondering: 'What's he on about here?' Then we saw the glasses. It was a light-hearted moment putting them on. We are on the pitch as footballers but we're humans, too, so to have a bit of craic with the fans is always good."

Pep Guardiola Test

The victory earned a fourth-round game at home against the Premier League champions on Wednesday, opponents Galbraith ran close at the comparable phase of the FA Cup with the London side in February. Galbraith had an excellent perspective when his former team took the lead in spectacular fashion, with the attacker's volley from about 45 yards going in via the woodwork and the Stefan Ortega. It seems unfair that it was credited as an own goal.

"You would have hoped they would've awarded it to him for attempting the shot from that range," says Galbraith, who played in the middle before moving to right defensive wing after they changed shape. That meant facing off against the England international, with whom he swapped shirts, and the winger was among the City players who complimented the way the underdogs played positively.

Opponent's Class

"Athletically they are very good but even the simple things and routine actions, they can just perform consistently," he explains. "It appears that 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 abruptly they will just deliver a through ball between defenders without you even seeing. You have to be switched on at all times of the game. It requires a resilient mindset and concentration just to keep pace."

Swansea Move

The club pushed to sign Galbraith in January and fought off rivals to bring him in in the summer in a £1.5m deal. He became a favorite as a crowd pleaser across two seasons at Leyton Orient and has swiftly achieved similar status in his new home. At the London club he linked up again with the coach, who previously gave Galbraith his initial sustained opportunity in professional games on loan at his loan club from Old Trafford. Then came a spell at lower division the Manchester club, before he moved on from Manchester United.

Learning Curve

"I was probably a slightly green going into men's football. I think numerous professionals would say development squad matches is very different. Sometimes it appears play is circulated without much intensity. There are limited tackles or duels. Once you start playing first-team football you have to adjust fast."

National Team Success

He has shown that growth for both domestically and internationally, performing well for the Green and White Army, who are fighting to qualify for the global tournament next summer via the playoffs and for whom he has been selected in the recent fixtures, including both legs games against Germany. The ex-coach, Galbraith's previous international manager, gave him the supreme accolade, saying he was Northern Ireland's "little Iniesta or Xavi" given how he manipulates the ball and his knack for a killer pass.

Starting Out

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

Old Trafford Memory

The player's only game for Manchester United came in the away trip in 2019, a Europa League trip to the host city, where they competed on an synthetic surface and the venue ceiling was sealed owing to the weather of freezing cold. "It was a extended travel and it was freezing," he comments, grinning. "The week before, the academy prospects worked out jointly, so that aided our adjustment. Just to travel with the first team and earn some playing time at the end was unbelievable."

Departing Old Trafford

How difficult was it to depart Manchester United, the club he signed from his boyhood team aged 16? "This turned out fairly simple, because I got to the stage 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 believed I required a fresh start, move to a lower level and play first-team games. Now I'm steadily progressing again."

Life in Swansea

It is the middle of the day at Swansea's Fairwood training base but Galbraith has a commitment at the early evening: a driving theory test, another step towards getting on the road. Prior to relocating to his new neighborhood, the 24-year-old was a frequent passenger in Swansea's dubbed player transport, a small coach driven by academy staff, Pete and Howard, which shuttles players to and from sessions and fixtures.

"I travel with Gonçalo Franco, another squad member, the midfielder – a former passenger used to be in it but has started driving. It's nice to spend time with the guys but I'm hoping to be the following person to drive independently and on the road. The Portuguese player likes to pull a few pranks; he's frequently playing tricks."

Public Engagement

When he represented Orient, Galbraith would travel alongside supporters on London's Central line after beginning his trip at Brentwood. "I tried|I attempted|My aim