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Ethan Galbraith grins broadly as he recalls the nail-biting closing stages of his team's remarkable turnaround triumph against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. The game ended with Galbraith picking up a spectator's eyewear amid the post-goal scrum.

As the match entered added time, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a long-range shot from distance, and Cameron Burgess promptly slammed home the loose ball before charging toward the crowd to celebrate, with supporters mobbing the players.

Stunning Reversal

The result sealed an incredible recovery given Swansea had found themselves down 2-0 midway through the latter period. During the euphoria, there was some unintended consequences. He shared, "There was a supporter shouting out and myself and Keysy [Josh Key] were wondering: 'What's he on about here?' Then we saw the glasses. It was a bit of banter putting them on. We are on the pitch as footballers but we're people, too, so to have a laugh with the fans is always good."

Premier League Giants

That win earned a next round fixture at home against the Premier League champions on Wednesday, a club Galbraith came close against at the comparable phase of the FA Cup with the London side in February. He had a prime vantage point when the underdogs took the lead in spectacular fashion, with the attacker's long-range effort from about long distance going in via the bar and the opposition keeper. Many argued that it was deemed an own goal.

"You would have expected they would've credited him for attempting the shot from that range," says Galbraith, who began the game centrally before moving to right wing-back after Orient changed shape. That meant competing with the England international, with whom he traded tops, and the winger was among the City players who complimented the way Orient approached the match.

City's Quality

"Athletically they are exceptional but even the simple things and routine actions, they can just do it over and over again," Galbraith says. "It appears that they never miss a pass and they are adept at dictate and take the sting out of a game. You can feel you're doing well and then without warning they will just fizz a pass past your midfield without you even seeing. You have to be focused throughout of the game. It demands a strong mentality and focus just to remain competitive."

Swansea Move

Swansea were keen on Galbraith in January and secured his signature to secure him in the summer in a significant move. He made a name as a fans' favourite across a couple of years at Orient and has rapidly done the same in Wales. At Orient he linked up again with his former manager, who earlier gave Galbraith his initial sustained opportunity in senior football on loan at his loan club from Old Trafford. Then came a loan at League Two Salford City, before he permanently left his boyhood club.

Growth Journey

"I was perhaps a somewhat inexperienced going into senior level. I think a lot of players would say youth team games is very different. Sometimes it appears play is circulated without real physicality. You see few physical contests. Once you start playing professional matches you have to adjust fast."

Country Call-ups

He has shown that development for his team and nation, shining for his national side, who are fighting to qualify for the World Cup next summer via the playoffs and for whom he has been selected in the past five games, including home and away games against the German national team. His former international manager, Galbraith's ex- international manager, offered the supreme accolade, saying he was Northern Ireland's "little Iniesta or Xavi" given how he controls possession and his eye for a killer pass.

Early Days

It has been an incredible journey for the kid from the local area in his hometown, just outside Northern Ireland's main city, who grew up watching his dad, his father, also a midfielder, play for a local club.

Red Devils Debut

The player's single match for the Red Devils came in Kazakhstan in 2019, a continental tournament trip to the host city, where they featured on an artificial pitch and the arena covering was sealed owing to temperatures of freezing cold. "It was a long trip and it was freezing," he says, grinning. "The week before, myself and quite a few of the young lads worked out jointly, so that helped us acclimatise. Just to travel with the first team and make an appearance at the end was amazing."

Leaving United

How difficult was it to leave United, the club he transferred from aged a teenager? "It was quite easy, because I got to the stage where I understood I wasn't going to make it at the senior squad. I'm hugely grateful for the experience gained but it got to the point where I thought I had to take a different path, move to a lower level and play men's football. Now I'm slowly progressing again."

Life in Swansea

It is mid-afternoon at Swansea's Fairwood training base but Galbraith has an appointment at 5pm: a road rules assessment, another move in the direction of getting on the road. Before his recent move to his new neighborhood, the young professional was a constant rider in Swansea's nicknamed fun bus, a team vehicle driven by club employees, Pete and Howard, which transports players to and from sessions and fixtures.

"My companions include Gonçalo Franco, another squad member, an Ivorian player – Melker Widell used to be in it but has started driving. It's nice to socialize with the lads but I'm planning to be the next one to stop using the bus and on the road. Franco is known for his humor; he's constantly causing mischief."

Fan Interactions

When he represented Orient, Galbraith would blend in with followers on London's Central line after commuting at the area he lived in. "I tried|I attempted|My aim