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Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he recalls the nail-biting dying seconds of his team's remarkable turnaround victory against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. That match ended with Galbraith picking up a spectator's eyewear following the post-goal scrum.

As the match entered added time, Galbraith cracked the upright with a powerful effort from 25 yards, and the defender immediately converted the rebound before racing off toward the East Stand to celebrate, with supporters congregating around the players.

Extraordinary Turnaround

This completed an unbelievable recovery given the Welsh side had been behind 2-0 during the latter period. In the delirium, there was some minor mishaps. He shared, "There was a supporter shouting out and Josh Key and I 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 athletes but we're individuals, too, so to have a laugh with the fans is always good."

Pep Guardiola Test

The victory booked a upcoming fixture at home against Manchester City on Wednesday, a team Galbraith came close against at the comparable phase of the FA Cup with Leyton Orient in February. Galbraith had a prime vantage point when his former team took the lead in remarkable manner, with a teammate's first-time shot from about long distance going in via the bar and the Stefan Ortega. It feels criminal that it was deemed an own goal.

"You would have expected they would've credited him for taking the effort on from that range," commented 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 player was among the City players who paid tribute to the way the underdogs played positively.

City's Quality

"Athletically they are exceptional but even the simple things and basic skills, they can just do it over and over again," Galbraith says. "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 thread a ball between defenders without you even spotting it. You have to be focused throughout of the game. It demands a strong mentality and focus just to keep pace."

Swansea Move

The Welsh side were keen on Galbraith in January and beat off competition to sign him in the summer in a £1.5m deal. He became a favorite as a crowd pleaser across two seasons at Leyton Orient and has rapidly achieved similar status in south Wales. At the London club he linked up again with Richie Wellens, who previously gave Galbraith his debut prolonged spell in first-team action on loan at Doncaster from Manchester United. Then came a loan at fourth-tier the Manchester club, before he departed Old Trafford.

Learning Curve

"I was probably a bit naive going into professional soccer. I think a lot of players would say youth team games is completely distinct. Sometimes it feels like play is circulated without serious challenge. There's not many tackles or duels. Once you start playing first-team football you have to adapt rapidly."

International Recognition

He has shown that maturation for his team and nation, performing well for his national side, who could still reach the global tournament next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has started the last several matches, including two matches encounters against Germany. The ex-coach, Galbraith's former international manager, paid him the supreme accolade, saying he was Northern Ireland's "creative maestro" given how he handles the football and his ability to spot a killer pass.

Starting Out

It has been quite the ride for the youngster from the neighborhood in Glengormley, just outside the capital, who was raised observing his dad, Stuart, also a engine room operator, play for his father's team.

Manchester United Experience

Galbraith's sole appearance for Manchester United came in the away trip in 2019, a European competition trip to the Kazakh capital, where they competed on an artificial pitch and the venue ceiling was sealed owing to conditions of -15C. "That proved to be a extended travel and it was freezing," he says, chuckling. "The days leading up, several youth players and I trained together, so that helped us acclimatise. Just to accompany the senior squad and get a couple of minutes at the end was amazing."

Moving On

How difficult was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he joined from Linfield aged a teenager? "It was fairly simple, because I got to the stage where I understood I wasn't going to make it at first-team level. I'm extremely thankful for the years at the club but it became apparent where I believed I had to take a different path, move to a lower level and play men's football. Now I'm gradually climbing the ladder."

Life in Swansea

This occurs during mid-afternoon at Swansea's Fairwood training base but Galbraith has an appointment at 5pm: a driving theory test, another step towards getting on the road. Until recently to the local area, the mid-twenties player was a frequent passenger in Swansea's so-called fun bus, a team vehicle driven by club employees, the transport team, which ferries players to and from training and matches.

"It's myself Gonçalo Franco, Ronald, an Ivorian player – the Swedish defender used to be in it but has started driving. It's enjoyable to spend time with the guys but I'm planning to be the following person to stop using the bus and on the road. The Portuguese player likes to pull a few pranks; he's constantly causing mischief."

Supporter Connections

During his time at his former club, Galbraith would travel alongside fans on London's Central line after starting his journey at Brentwood. "I tried|I attempted|My aim