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Ethan Galbraith grins broadly as he reminisces about the dramatic final moments of his team's epic comeback win against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. The encounter culminated with Galbraith temporarily wearing a fan's glasses amid the post-goal scrum.

During the final moments of stoppage time, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a powerful effort from distance, and Cameron Burgess quickly slammed home the deflection before charging toward the crowd to celebrate, with the crowd swarming the players.

Extraordinary Turnaround

The result sealed an incredible turnaround given the Welsh side had trailed 2-0 during the latter period. Amid the celebrations, there was some minor mishaps. Galbraith explained, "There was a supporter shouting out and myself and Keysy [Josh Key] were thinking: 'What's he on about here?' Then we saw the glasses. It was a light-hearted moment putting them on. We are on the pitch as athletes but we're people, too, so to have a bit of craic with the fans is always good."

Pep Guardiola Test

The victory booked a next round match at home against Manchester City on Wednesday, opponents Galbraith pushed hard at the same stage of the FA Cup with his former club in February. The athletic midfielder had a prime vantage point when his former team took the lead in spectacular fashion, with Jamie Donley's volley from about 45 yards going in via the bar and the City goalkeeper. Many argued that it was credited as an own goal.

"You would have wished they would've given it to him for attempting the shot from that distance," says Galbraith, who played in the middle before shifting to right flank after they changed formation. That meant facing off against Jack Grealish, with whom he traded tops, and the player was among the opposition who praised the way his former team approached the match.

City's Quality

"Athletically they are exceptional but even the fundamentals and basic skills, they can just do it over and over again," Galbraith says. "It feels like they never miss a pass and they are adept at dictate and neutralize a game. You can believe you're doing well and then without warning they will just deliver a through ball between defenders without you even spotting it. You have to be switched on at all times of the game. It takes a strong mentality and concentration just to stay in the game."

Swansea Move

The club pushed to sign Galbraith in January and fought off rivals to secure him in the summer in a significant move. He made a name as a crowd pleaser across multiple campaigns at Orient and has rapidly replicated that in south Wales. At his previous team he reunited with the coach, who four years ago gave Galbraith his initial sustained opportunity in first-team action on loan at Doncaster from United. Then came a temporary move at fourth-tier Salford City, before he departed his boyhood club.

Growth Journey

"I was probably a slightly green going into men's football. I think a lot of players would say under-23s football is very different. Sometimes it appears possession is exchanged without much intensity. There's not many physical contests. Once you start playing men's games you have to adjust fast."

National Team Success

His progress reflects that growth for his team and nation, excelling for Northern Ireland, who could still reach the global tournament next summer via the playoffs and for whom he has featured in the last several matches, including both legs encounters against a football powerhouse. His former international manager, Galbraith's previous international manager, paid him the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "creative maestro" given how he handles the football and his knack for a decisive through ball.

Humble Beginnings

This represents an incredible journey for the kid from the local area in Glengormley, just outside Belfast, who was raised observing his father, Stuart, also a engine room operator, play for Ballyclare Comrades.

Red Devils Debut

His only game for Manchester United came in Kazakhstan in 2019, a European competition trip to the host city, where they competed on an synthetic surface and the arena covering was shut owing to temperatures of -15C. "That proved to be a long trip and it was cold out there," he comments, smiling. "The days leading up, the academy prospects worked out jointly, so that assisted our preparation. Just to travel with the first team and make an appearance at the end was unbelievable."

Departing Old Trafford

How hard was it to depart Manchester United, the club he transferred from aged a teenager? "It was relatively straightforward, because I got to the stage where I knew I wouldn't break through at first-team level. I'm hugely grateful for the time I spent there but it reached a stage where I felt I had to take a different path, join a smaller club and play first-team games. Now I'm gradually progressing again."

Life in Swansea

It is the early part of the afternoon at the club's training ground but Galbraith has somewhere to be at the early evening: a driving theory test, another move in the direction of getting on the road. Before his recent move to his new neighborhood, the mid-twenties player was a regular in Swansea's nicknamed team minibus, a minibus driven by team personnel, the drivers, which ferries players to and from sessions and fixtures.

"My companions include Gonçalo Franco, the Brazilian, Malick Yalcouyé – a former passenger used to be in it but has started driving. It's enjoyable to interact with the guys but I'm aiming to be the next one to drive independently and driving. The Portuguese player likes to pull a few pranks; he's always up to all sorts."

Supporter Connections

During his time at Orient, Galbraith would travel alongside fans on the Tube after commuting at Brentwood. "I tried|I attempted|My aim