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Ethan Galbraith grins broadly as he reminisces about the thrilling dying seconds of Swansea's stunning fightback win against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. The game wrapped up with Galbraith picking up a supporter's spectacles amid the post-goal scrum.

As the match entered added time, Galbraith struck the post with a powerful strike from distance, and his teammate quickly hammered in the deflection before charging toward the home end to mark the goal, with fans swarming the players.

Stunning Reversal

The result sealed an incredible comeback given the Welsh side had been behind 2-0 during the final 45 minutes. In the celebrations, there was some minor mishaps. Galbraith explained, "There was a spectator sort of calling out and myself and Keysy [Josh Key] were puzzled: 'What's he on about here?' Then we noticed the glasses. It was a bit of banter 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."

Pep Guardiola Test

The result secured a fourth-round match at home against the Premier League champions on Wednesday, a team Galbraith pushed hard at the equivalent round of the FA Cup with his former club in February. Galbraith had arguably the best view when Orient took the lead in spectacular fashion, with a teammate's first-time shot from about 45 yards going in via the woodwork and the opposition keeper. It feels criminal that it was recorded as an own goal.

"You would have hoped they would've given it to him for attempting the shot from that range," commented Galbraith, who started in midfield before moving to right wing-back after the team changed formation. That meant facing off against City's winger, with whom he traded tops, and the attacker was among the Manchester squad who praised the way his former team attacked the game.

Guardiola's System

"Physically they are outstanding but even the fundamentals and basic skills, they can just do it over and over again," the midfielder notes. "It seems as if they never miss a pass and they are adept at dictate and slow down a game. You can feel you're all right and then without warning they will just deliver a through ball between defenders without you even seeing. You have to be switched on throughout of the game. It takes a strong mentality and focus just to keep pace."

Swansea Move

The club pushed to sign Galbraith in January and beat off competition to secure him in the summer in a seven-figure transfer. He made a name as a crowd pleaser across two seasons at Orient and has quickly achieved similar status in Wales. At his previous team he joined forces once more with his former manager, who four years ago gave Galbraith his debut prolonged spell in professional games on loan at his loan club from Manchester United. Then came a spell at lower division the Manchester club, before he permanently left Old Trafford.

Growth Journey

"I was likely a slightly green going into professional soccer. I think numerous professionals would say under-23s football is very different. Sometimes it seems possession is exchanged without much intensity. You see few tackles or duels. Once you start playing men's games you have to learn quickly."

Country Call-ups

His progress reflects that growth for his team and nation, excelling for Northern Ireland, who are fighting to qualify for the international competition next summer via the qualifying rounds and for whom he has started the past five games, including two matches games against Germany. Ian Baraclough, Galbraith's previous international manager, gave him the ultimate compliment, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he controls possession and his eye for a game-changing assist.

Starting Out

It has been a remarkable path for the youngster from the Queens Park estate in his hometown, just outside Northern Ireland's main city, who grew up watching his father, his father, also a midfielder, play for his father's team.

Old Trafford Memory

The player's single match for the Red Devils came in Kazakhstan in 2019, a Europa League trip to the host city, where they competed on an plastic turf and the stadium roof was sealed owing to temperatures of bitter cold. "That proved to be a long trip and it was cold out there," he recalls, chuckling. "The week before, myself and quite a few of the young lads worked out jointly, so that assisted our preparation. Just to join the main group and earn some playing time at the end was incredible."

Moving On

How difficult was it to leave United, the club he transferred from aged 16? "It was quite easy, because I got to the stage where I knew I couldn't establish myself at the top level. I'm very appreciative for the years at the club but it reached a stage where I believed I needed to go my own route, move to a lower level and play men's football. Now I'm slowly climbing the ladder."

Life in Swansea

It is mid-afternoon at Swansea's Fairwood training base but Galbraith has an appointment at 5pm: a learner's exam, another step towards getting on the road. Prior to relocating to his new neighborhood, the mid-twenties player was a regular in Swansea's so-called team minibus, a minibus driven by team personnel, the drivers, which ferries players to and from training and matches.

"I travel with the Portuguese player, Ronald, the midfielder – Melker Widell used to be in it but has started driving. It's nice to interact with the guys but I'm planning to be the following person to stop using the bus and driving. His teammate is known for his humor; he's always up to all sorts."

Fan Interactions

When he represented Orient, Galbraith would mix with supporters on public transport after beginning his trip at the area he lived in. "I tried|I attempted|My aim