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Ethan Galbraith grins broadly as he reminisces about the thrilling final moments of his team's stunning fightback win against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. That match ended with Galbraith picking up a supporter's spectacles amid the pitch-side pile-on.

With the clock ticking into the 97th minute, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a long-range shot from outside the box, and the defender promptly converted the loose ball before charging toward the East Stand to celebrate, with supporters swarming the players.

Stunning Reversal

The result completed an unbelievable recovery given Swansea had trailed 2-0 deep into the final 45 minutes. During the celebrations, there was some collateral damage. Galbraith explained, "There was a supporter trying to get our attention and we were thinking: '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 footballers but we're individuals, too, so to have a bit of craic with the fans is always good."

Premier League Giants

The result secured a fourth-round game at home against Pep Guardiola's side on Wednesday, a club Galbraith pushed hard at the same stage of the FA Cup with Leyton Orient in February. Galbraith had arguably the best view when his former team took the lead in spectacular fashion, with the attacker's first-time shot from about long distance going in via the bar and the City goalkeeper. Many argued that it was deemed an own goal.

"You would have expected they would've awarded it to him for attempting the shot from that far out," says Galbraith, who played in the middle before shifting to right flank after they changed formation. That meant getting to grips with City's winger, with whom he exchanged jerseys, and the attacker was among the Manchester squad who paid tribute to the way the underdogs approached the match.

Guardiola's System

"Athletically they are exceptional but even the basics and routine actions, they can just execute repeatedly," the midfielder notes. "It seems as if they always find their target and they are adept at manage and take the sting out of a game. You can think you're all right and then abruptly they will just deliver a through ball through a line without you even noticing. You have to be alert at all times of the game. It takes a resilient mindset and attention just to keep pace."

Swansea Move

Swansea sought to acquire Galbraith in January and beat off competition to sign him in the summer in a seven-figure transfer. He made a name as a fans' favourite across two seasons at Orient and has quickly done the same in south Wales. At the London club he linked up again with his former manager, who earlier gave Galbraith his debut prolonged spell in professional games on loan at a League One side from Old Trafford. Then came a temporary move at lower division the Manchester club, before he moved on from Old Trafford.

Learning Curve

"I was probably a somewhat inexperienced going into senior level. I think a lot of players would say development squad matches is completely distinct. Sometimes it appears play is circulated without serious challenge. There's not many physical contests. Once you start playing first-team football you have to adapt rapidly."

National Team Success

His progress reflects that growth for his team and nation, excelling for Northern Ireland, who could still reach the World Cup next summer via the qualifying rounds and for whom he has been selected in the past five games, including both legs games against the German national team. Ian Baraclough, Galbraith's previous international manager, gave him the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "little Iniesta or Xavi" given how he handles the football and his ability to spot a killer pass.

Early Days

This marks an incredible journey for the player from the neighborhood in the Belfast suburb, just outside Belfast, who used to see his parent, his father, also a engine room operator, play for a local club.

Manchester United Experience

The player's sole appearance for the Red Devils came in the away trip in 2019, a European competition trip to the Kazakh capital, where they featured on an artificial pitch and the stadium roof was closed owing to temperatures of -15C. "This represented a long trip and it was freezing," he says, smiling. "The preceding week, the academy prospects worked out jointly, so that aided our adjustment. Just to travel with the first team and earn some playing time at the end was unbelievable."

Leaving United

What was the challenge was it to leave United, the club he joined from Linfield aged 16? "The decision proved relatively straightforward, because I got to the stage where I knew I wasn't going to make it at the top level. I'm extremely thankful for the experience gained but it reached a stage where I thought I had to take a different path, move to a lower level and play professional soccer. Now I'm gradually progressing again."

Life in Swansea

This occurs during the middle of the day 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 young professional was a regular in Swansea's so-called player transport, a small coach driven by team personnel, the drivers, which shuttles players to and from practice and games.

"I travel with the Portuguese player, another squad member, Malick Yalcouyé – Melker Widell used to be in it but has started driving. It's pleasant to interact with the guys but I'm planning to be the following person out of the minibus and on the road. The Portuguese player enjoys practical jokes; he's constantly causing mischief."

Public Engagement

When he represented Leyton Orient, Galbraith would mix with followers on London's Central line after beginning his trip at his base. "I tried|I attempted|My aim