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Ethan Galbraith grins broadly as he reminisces about the nail-biting final moments of his team's remarkable turnaround triumph against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. The game ended with Galbraith briefly donning a fan's glasses amid the on-field celebration.

With the clock ticking into the 97th minute, Galbraith struck the post with a long-range effort from distance, and the defender quickly slammed home the loose ball before racing off toward the crowd to celebrate, with supporters mobbing the players.

Stunning Reversal

The result completed an incredible recovery given Swansea had trailed 2-0 during the final 45 minutes. Amid the celebrations, there was some minor mishaps. Galbraith explained, "There was a supporter shouting out and myself and Keysy [Josh Key] were puzzled: 'What's he on about here?' Then we noticed the glasses. It was a light-hearted moment putting them on. We are on the pitch as players but we're humans, too, so to have a joke with the fans is always good."

Premier League Giants

That win earned a fourth-round game at home against the Premier League champions on Wednesday, a club Galbraith came close against at the same stage of the FA Cup with Leyton Orient in February. He had an excellent perspective when the underdogs took the lead in stunning style, with Jamie Donley's first-time shot from about 45 yards going in via the woodwork and the City goalkeeper. It seems unfair that it was credited as an own goal.

"You would have expected they would've credited him for attempting the shot from that range," says Galbraith, who played in the middle before moving to right flank after they changed formation. That meant facing off against Jack Grealish, with whom he traded tops, and the attacker was among the opposition who praised the way his former team played positively.

Guardiola's System

"Physically they are exceptional but even the simple things and routine actions, they can just do it over and over again," Galbraith says. "It seems as if they always find their target and they understand how to manage and neutralize a game. You can feel you're all right and then without warning they will just fizz a pass between defenders without you even noticing. You have to be focused throughout of the game. It takes a resilient mindset and focus just to remain competitive."

New Chapter

The club sought to acquire Galbraith in January and secured his signature to bring him in in the summer in a £1.5m deal. He made a name as a fans' favourite across two seasons at Leyton Orient and has rapidly done the same in Wales. At his previous team he reunited with his former manager, who earlier gave Galbraith his first extended run in senior football on loan at his loan club from Manchester United. Then came a loan at lower division Salford City, before he moved on from Old Trafford.

Growth Journey

"I was perhaps a somewhat inexperienced going into men's football. I think a lot of players would say under-23s football is very different. Sometimes it seems possession is exchanged without serious challenge. You see few physical contests. Once you start playing professional matches you have to learn quickly."

International Recognition

He has shown that growth for both domestically and internationally, performing well for Northern Ireland, who remain in contention for the international competition next summer via the playoffs and for whom he has been selected in the recent fixtures, including both legs games against a football powerhouse. The ex-coach, Galbraith's ex- international manager, paid him the ultimate compliment, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he manipulates the ball and his ability to spot a killer pass.

Starting Out

It has been quite the ride for the player from the neighborhood in Glengormley, just outside Belfast, who was raised observing his dad, his father, also a midfielder, play for Ballyclare Comrades.

Manchester United Experience

The player's only game for United came in Central Asia in 2019, a European competition trip to the host city, where they competed on an synthetic surface and the stadium roof was closed owing to temperatures of bitter cold. "This represented a long trip and it was freezing," he recalls, grinning. "The preceding week, myself and quite a few of the young lads trained together, so that assisted our preparation. Just to accompany the senior squad and earn some playing time at the end was incredible."

Moving On

How hard was it to depart Manchester United, the club he signed from his boyhood team aged a teenager? "This turned out quite easy, because I reached the point where I knew I wouldn't break through at the top level. I'm hugely grateful for the years at the club but it got to the point where I thought I needed to go my own route, drop down the leagues and play professional soccer. Now I'm gradually progressing again."

Welsh Adaptation

It is mid-afternoon at the club's training ground but Galbraith has a commitment at late afternoon: a driving theory test, another progress toward getting on the road. Prior to relocating to his new neighborhood, the young professional was a frequent passenger in Swansea's so-called player transport, a team vehicle driven by club employees, the transport team, which transports players to and from sessions and fixtures.

"It's myself Gonçalo Franco, the Brazilian, Malick Yalcouyé – the Swedish defender used to be in it but has started driving. It's pleasant to interact with the lads but I'm hoping to be the subsequent individual out of the minibus and driving. Franco is known for his humor; he's constantly causing mischief."

Supporter Connections

While playing for his former club, Galbraith would blend in with supporters on public transport after starting his journey at Brentwood. "I tried|I attempted|My aim