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Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he recalls the dramatic final moments of his team's stunning fightback victory against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. The game culminated with Galbraith picking up a spectator's eyewear amid the pitch-side pile-on.

As the match entered added time, Galbraith cracked the upright with a powerful strike from distance, and Cameron Burgess immediately hammered in the deflection before racing off toward the home end to celebrate, with fans swarming the players.

Remarkable Recovery

This capped an unbelievable comeback given the Welsh side had trailed 2-0 midway through the latter period. Amid the delirium, there was some collateral damage. He shared, "There was a spectator shouting out and myself and Keysy [Josh Key] were puzzled: 'What's he on about here?' Then we spotted the glasses. It was a funny incident putting them on. We are on the pitch as players but we're humans, too, so to have a bit of craic with the fans is always good."

Manchester City Challenge

The victory earned a fourth-round game at home against the Premier League champions on Wednesday, opponents Galbraith pushed hard at the equivalent round of the FA Cup with his former club in February. Galbraith had arguably the best view when his former team took the lead in spectacular fashion, with Jamie Donley's long-range effort from about long distance going in via the crossbar and the opposition keeper. It feels criminal that it was credited as an own goal.

"You would have hoped they would've awarded it to him for taking the effort on from that distance," says Galbraith, who started in midfield before switching to right wing-back after Orient changed formation. That meant competing with City's winger, with whom he exchanged jerseys, and the winger was among the opposition who complimented the way the underdogs attacked the game.

Guardiola's System

"Athletically they are outstanding but even the basics and routine actions, they can just perform consistently," the midfielder notes. "It feels like they always find their target and they understand how to control and neutralize 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 spotting it. You have to be switched on every second of the game. It requires a strong mentality and concentration just to keep pace."

New Chapter

Swansea were keen on Galbraith in January and fought off rivals to bring him in in the summer in a seven-figure transfer. He established himself as a popular figure across two seasons at Leyton Orient and has swiftly done the same in his new home. At the London club he reunited with his former manager, who four years ago gave Galbraith his first extended run in senior football on loan at his loan club from Old Trafford. Then came a spell at fourth-tier Salford City, before he permanently left Old Trafford.

Learning Curve

"I was likely a bit naive going into senior level. I think numerous professionals would say youth team games is entirely separate. Sometimes it appears the ball is moved without serious challenge. You see few tackles or duels. Once you start playing first-team football you have to adapt rapidly."

Country Call-ups

His progress reflects that development for both domestically and internationally, 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 encounters against a football powerhouse. The ex-coach, Galbraith's ex- international manager, paid him the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "creative maestro" given how he controls possession and his knack for a killer pass.

Early Days

This represents quite the ride for the youngster from the local area in Glengormley, just outside Northern Ireland's main city, who grew up watching his father, his father, also a central player, play for Ballyclare Comrades.

Manchester United Experience

The player's single match for Manchester United came in the away trip in 2019, a European competition trip to the host city, where they played on an plastic turf and the stadium roof was sealed owing to temperatures of bitter cold. "It was a lengthy journey and it was freezing," he recalls, smiling. "The days leading up, several youth players and I worked out jointly, so that helped us acclimatise. Just to travel with the first team and earn some playing time at the end was amazing."

Leaving United

How difficult was it to depart Manchester United, the club he transferred from aged a teenager? "This turned out quite easy, because I arrived at the moment where I knew I couldn't establish myself at the top level. I'm extremely thankful for the experience gained but it became apparent where I thought I had to take a different path, join a smaller club 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 somewhere to be at late afternoon: a driving theory test, another move in the direction of getting on the road. Prior to relocating to the local area, the young professional was a regular in Swansea's nicknamed fun bus, a minibus driven by academy staff, the drivers, which ferries players to and from sessions and fixtures.

"I travel with a teammate, Ronald, Malick Yalcouyé – Melker Widell used to be in it but has started driving. It's pleasant to socialize with the guys but I'm planning to be the next one out of the minibus and behind the wheel. Franco enjoys practical jokes; he's always up to all sorts."

Supporter Connections

While playing for Leyton Orient, Galbraith would blend in with supporters on the Tube after beginning his trip at the area he lived in. "I tried|I attempted|My aim