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Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he reminisces about the dramatic closing stages of Swansea's epic comeback win against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. That match culminated with Galbraith picking up a supporter's spectacles after 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 promptly hammered in the rebound before racing off toward the home end to mark the goal, with the crowd swarming the players.

Stunning Reversal

This completed an unbelievable recovery given the Welsh side had found themselves down 2-0 midway through the second half. During the euphoria, there was some minor mishaps. The midfielder recalled, "There was a fan trying to get our attention and we were wondering: '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 individuals, too, so to have a joke with the fans is always good."

Pep Guardiola Test

The result booked a next round game at home against Pep Guardiola's side on Wednesday, a club Galbraith came close against at the same stage of the FA Cup with the London side in February. He had a prime vantage point when Orient took the lead in spectacular fashion, with the attacker's first-time shot from about way out 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 given it to him for taking the effort on from that range," stated Galbraith, who began the game centrally before switching to right defensive wing after Orient changed shape. That meant competing with City's winger, with whom he traded tops, and the winger was among the City players who praised the way his former team attacked the game.

Opponent's Class

"Athletically they are very good but even the fundamentals and basic skills, they can just execute repeatedly," the midfielder notes. "It seems as if they always find their target and they understand how to manage and slow down a game. You can feel you're doing well and then suddenly they will just fizz a pass through a line without you even noticing. You have to be alert every second of the game. It demands a resilient mindset and attention just to stay in the game."

Welsh Transition

Swansea were keen on Galbraith in January and fought off rivals to bring him in in the summer in a £1.5m deal. He made a name as a fans' favourite across multiple campaigns at his former club and has swiftly done the same in his new home. At Orient he linked up again with his former manager, who four years ago gave Galbraith his first extended run in first-team action on loan at a League One side from United. Then came a temporary move at fourth-tier the Manchester club, before he departed Manchester United.

Growth Journey

"I was perhaps a bit naive going into men's football. I think many athletes would say under-23s football is entirely separate. Sometimes it seems possession is exchanged without real physicality. There's not many tackles or duels. Once you start playing professional matches you have to learn quickly."

National Team Success

He has demonstrated that development for both domestically and internationally, shining for his national side, who are fighting to qualify for the global tournament next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has started the past five games, including two matches games against Germany. The ex-coach, Galbraith's ex- international manager, gave him the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "little Iniesta or Xavi" given how he controls possession and his eye for a killer pass.

Starting Out

It has been an incredible journey for the kid from the local area in the Belfast suburb, just outside the capital, who was raised observing his dad, the elder Galbraith, also a engine room operator, play for a local club.

Manchester United Experience

Galbraith's single match for United came in Kazakhstan in 2019, a continental tournament trip to Astana, where they featured on an plastic turf and the venue ceiling was closed owing to temperatures of freezing cold. "That proved to be a long trip and it was freezing," he recalls, chuckling. "The week before, the academy prospects practiced as a group, so that aided our adjustment. Just to travel with the first team and get a couple of minutes at the end was incredible."

Moving On

What was the challenge was it to leave United, the club he joined from Linfield aged his mid-teens? "It was relatively straightforward, because I got to the stage where I realized I wasn't going to make it at the senior squad. I'm hugely grateful for the years at the club but it got to the point where I believed I needed to go my own route, drop down the leagues and play men's football. Now I'm steadily progressing again."

New Environment

It is the early part of the afternoon at the club's training ground but Galbraith has a commitment at the early evening: a driving theory test, another progress toward getting on the road. Before his recent move to Sketty, the 24-year-old was a constant rider in Swansea's dubbed fun bus, a team vehicle driven by academy staff, the drivers, which shuttles players to and from training and matches.

"I travel with Gonçalo Franco, Ronald, Malick Yalcouyé – Melker Widell used to be in it but has started driving. It's enjoyable to socialize with the lads but I'm planning to be the next one to drive independently and on the road. His teammate likes to pull a few pranks; he's always up to all sorts."

Fan Interactions

When he represented Leyton Orient, Galbraith would blend in with supporters on public transport after commuting at his base. "I tried|I attempted|My aim