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Ethan Galbraith grins broadly as he reminisces about the thrilling final moments of Swansea's epic comeback victory against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. The encounter wrapped up with Galbraith picking up a supporter's spectacles after the pitch-side pile-on.

As the match entered added time, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a speculative strike from outside the box, and Cameron Burgess quickly slammed home the rebound before racing off toward the home end to celebrate, with fans swarming the players.

Stunning Reversal

The victory completed an unbelievable recovery given Swansea had trailed 2-0 midway through the latter period. During the euphoria, there was some collateral damage. The midfielder recalled, "There was a spectator shouting out and Josh Key and I were thinking: '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 athletes but we're people, too, so to have a joke with the fans is always good."

Premier League Giants

That win booked a next round fixture at home against Pep Guardiola's side on Wednesday, opponents Galbraith pushed hard at the comparable phase of the FA Cup with Leyton Orient in February. The athletic midfielder had arguably the best view when Orient took the lead in stunning style, with Jamie Donley's long-range effort from about way out going in via the woodwork and the City goalkeeper. It feels criminal that it was recorded as an own goal.

"You would have hoped they would've given it to him for taking the effort on from that far out," commented Galbraith, who started in midfield before switching to right flank after they changed shape. That meant getting to grips with City's winger, with whom he swapped shirts, and the attacker was among the opposition who paid tribute to the way Orient played positively.

Guardiola's System

"Fitness-wise they are outstanding but even the basics and basic skills, they can just do it over and over again," Galbraith says. "It appears that they complete every delivery and they are adept at dictate and slow down a game. You can think you're all right and then abruptly they will just thread a ball past your midfield without you even spotting it. You have to be switched on throughout of the game. It demands a strong mentality and focus just to stay in the game."

New Chapter

Swansea pushed to sign Galbraith in January and fought off rivals to secure him in the summer in a significant move. He became a favorite as a crowd pleaser across a couple of years at his former club and has quickly achieved similar status in south Wales. At his previous team he reunited with his former manager, who four years ago gave Galbraith his initial sustained opportunity in professional games on loan at Doncaster from United. Then came a temporary move at League Two Salford, before he departed Manchester United.

Learning Curve

"I was probably a slightly green going into men's football. I think a lot of players would say under-23s football is completely distinct. Sometimes it feels like play is circulated without real physicality. There's not many physical contests. Once you start playing professional matches you have to adapt rapidly."

National Team Success

He has shown that development for club and country, performing well for Northern Ireland, who remain in contention for the global tournament next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has started the recent fixtures, including home and away games against a football powerhouse. Ian Baraclough, Galbraith's previous international manager, gave him the ultimate compliment, saying he was Northern Ireland's "creative maestro" given how he manipulates the ball and his knack for a decisive through ball.

Early Days

It has been an incredible journey for the youngster from the local area in his hometown, just outside Northern Ireland's main city, who grew up watching his father, his father, also a central player, play for his father's team.

Manchester United Experience

His single match for Manchester United came in the away trip in 2019, a Europa League trip to Astana, where they featured on an plastic turf and the stadium roof was sealed owing to the weather of freezing cold. "It was a extended travel and it was freezing," he recalls, smiling. "The week before, the academy prospects trained together, so that helped us acclimatise. Just to accompany the senior squad and earn some playing time at the end was incredible."

Departing Old Trafford

How difficult was it to leave United, the club he signed from his boyhood team aged 16? "It was relatively straightforward, because I arrived at the moment where I realized I wouldn't break through at the top level. I'm extremely thankful for the experience gained but it reached a stage where I believed I required a fresh start, move to a lower level and play professional soccer. Now I'm gradually working my way back up."

Life in Swansea

This occurs during the early part of the afternoon at Swansea's Fairwood training base but Galbraith has an appointment at late afternoon: a road rules assessment, another progress toward getting on the road. Before his recent move to Sketty, the 24-year-old was a frequent passenger in Swansea's nicknamed player transport, a small coach driven by academy staff, the transport team, which shuttles players to and from practice and games.

"I travel with Gonçalo Franco, the Brazilian, Malick Yalcouyé – a former passenger used to be in it but has begun using his own car. It's nice to socialize with the guys but I'm planning to be the following person to drive independently and behind the wheel. His teammate likes to pull a few pranks; he's constantly causing mischief."

Public Engagement

During his time at his former club, Galbraith would mix with fans on London's Central line after starting his journey at the area he lived in. "I tried|I attempted|My aim