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Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he recalls the thrilling dying seconds of Swansea's epic comeback win against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. That match culminated with Galbraith briefly donning a fan's glasses following the pitch-side pile-on.

During the final moments of stoppage time, Galbraith cracked the upright with a long-range strike from 25 yards, and his teammate immediately converted the deflection before charging toward the home end to celebrate, with the crowd congregating around the players.

Extraordinary Turnaround

The victory capped an extraordinary turnaround given Swansea had been behind 2-0 during the latter period. During the celebrations, there was some collateral damage. The midfielder recalled, "There was a supporter trying to get our attention and we 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 players but we're individuals, too, so to have a bit of craic with the fans is always good."

Premier League Giants

That win booked a fourth-round game at home against Pep Guardiola's side on Wednesday, a team Galbraith ran close at the comparable phase of the FA Cup with Leyton Orient in February. Galbraith had an excellent perspective when the underdogs took the lead in remarkable manner, with Jamie Donley's volley from about 45 yards going in via the crossbar and the opposition keeper. It feels criminal that it was recorded as an own goal.

"You would have expected they would've given it to him for taking the effort on from that distance," commented Galbraith, who started in midfield before moving to right defensive wing after they changed shape. That meant facing off against the England international, with whom he traded tops, and the player was among the City players who complimented the way the underdogs played positively.

Opponent's Class

"Fitness-wise they are outstanding but even the basics and basic skills, they can just do it over and over again," he explains. "It appears that they always find their target and they know how to control 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 seeing. You have to be focused every second of the game. It takes a strong mentality and focus just to remain competitive."

New Chapter

The Welsh side pushed to sign Galbraith in January and fought off rivals to bring him in in the summer in a seven-figure transfer. He became a favorite as a crowd pleaser across multiple campaigns at Leyton Orient and has swiftly replicated that in Wales. At his previous team he joined forces once more with his former manager, who previously gave Galbraith his initial sustained opportunity in senior football on loan at his loan club from Manchester United. Then came a spell at League Two Salford City, before he moved on from Manchester United.

Growth Journey

"I was probably a somewhat inexperienced going into men's football. I think a lot of players would say youth team games is very different. Sometimes it appears play is circulated without real physicality. There's not many physical contests. Once you start playing first-team football you have to adapt rapidly."

National Team Success

He has demonstrated that development for both domestically and internationally, excelling for his national side, who could still reach the World Cup next summer via the qualifying rounds and for whom he has been selected in the last several matches, including home and away encounters against the German national team. The ex-coach, Galbraith's previous international manager, gave him the supreme accolade, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he handles the football and his eye for a game-changing assist.

Humble Beginnings

This marks a remarkable path for the player from the Queens Park estate in Glengormley, just outside Belfast, who grew up watching his dad, Stuart, also a central player, play for a local club.

Red Devils Debut

His sole appearance for the Red Devils came in Central Asia in 2019, a continental tournament trip to the host city, where they played on an synthetic surface and the venue ceiling was shut owing to conditions of -15C. "That proved to be a extended travel and it was chilly," he recalls, chuckling. "The preceding week, myself and quite a few of the young lads practiced as a group, so that aided our adjustment. Just to join the main group and earn some playing time at the end was incredible."

Departing Old Trafford

How hard was it to leave United, the club he signed from his boyhood team aged 16? "The decision proved relatively straightforward, because I arrived at the moment where I realized I wouldn't break through at the senior squad. I'm hugely grateful for the time I spent there but it reached a stage where I believed I had to take a different path, drop down the leagues and play men's football. Now I'm gradually progressing again."

New Environment

It is mid-afternoon at the team's practice facility but Galbraith has an appointment at the early evening: a road rules assessment, another move in the direction of getting on the road. Before his recent move to his new neighborhood, the mid-twenties player was a frequent passenger in Swansea's nicknamed team minibus, a small coach driven by club employees, the transport team, which ferries players to and from practice and games.

"My companions include the Portuguese player, the Brazilian, Malick Yalcouyé – Melker Widell used to be in it but has got his license. It's nice to spend time with the guys but I'm hoping to be the following person out of the minibus and on the road. The Portuguese player is known for his humor; he's always up to all sorts."

Public Engagement

During his time at his former club, Galbraith would travel alongside followers on the Tube after starting his journey at his base. "I tried|I attempted|My aim