🔗 Share this article

Ethan Galbraith grins broadly as he reminisces about the nail-biting final moments of Swansea's remarkable turnaround victory against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. The encounter culminated with Galbraith picking up a fan's glasses amid the post-goal scrum.

With the clock ticking into the 97th minute, Galbraith cracked the upright with a speculative strike from distance, and Cameron Burgess immediately hammered in the deflection before charging toward the East Stand to revel in the moment, with the crowd mobbing the players.

Stunning Reversal

This sealed an incredible comeback given the team had been behind 2-0 deep into the final 45 minutes. During the euphoria, there was some unintended consequences. 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 players but we're people, too, so to have a bit of craic with the fans is always good."

Pep Guardiola Test

That win booked a next round fixture at home against Manchester City on Wednesday, a club Galbraith pushed hard at the comparable phase of the FA Cup with the London side in February. The athletic midfielder had arguably the best view when his former team took the lead in remarkable manner, with a teammate's first-time shot from about way out going in via the bar and the Stefan Ortega. Many argued that it was recorded as an own goal.

"You would have expected they would've awarded it to him for taking the effort on from that range," says Galbraith, who began the game centrally before switching to right flank after they changed tactics. That meant facing off against City's winger, with whom he traded tops, and the winger was among the City players who praised the way the underdogs approached the match.

Opponent's Class

"Physically they are exceptional but even the basics and simple things, they can just execute repeatedly," the midfielder notes. "It feels like they always find their target and they understand how to control and neutralize a game. You can believe you're holding your own and then without warning they will just thread a ball through a line without you even noticing. You have to be focused throughout of the game. It takes a strong mentality and attention just to stay in the game."

Swansea Move

Swansea were keen on Galbraith in January and beat off competition to sign him in the summer in a £1.5m deal. He made a name as a fans' favourite across two seasons at Orient and has quickly replicated that in his new home. At his previous team he joined forces once more with his former manager, who previously gave Galbraith his debut prolonged spell in senior football on loan at his loan club from Old Trafford. Then came a spell at lower division the Manchester club, before he moved on from Manchester United.

Growth Journey

"I was perhaps a bit naive going into professional soccer. I think a lot of players would say development squad matches is completely distinct. Sometimes it feels like play is circulated without much intensity. There are limited physical contests. Once you start playing professional matches you have to adapt rapidly."

International Recognition

He has shown that development for both domestically and internationally, performing well for his national side, who are fighting to qualify for the international competition next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has started the last several matches, including two matches fixtures against a football powerhouse. The ex-coach, 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 knack for a decisive through ball.

Humble Beginnings

It has been an incredible journey for the kid from the neighborhood in his hometown, just outside Belfast, who was raised observing his father, Stuart, also a central player, play for a local club.

Manchester United Experience

The player's single match for the Red Devils came in the away trip in 2019, a Europa League trip to Astana, where they featured on an synthetic surface and the stadium roof was sealed owing to conditions of bitter cold. "This represented a lengthy journey and it was freezing," he recalls, smiling. "The week before, myself and quite a few of the young lads practiced as a group, so that aided our adjustment. Just to accompany the senior squad and get a couple of minutes at the end was incredible."

Moving On

How difficult was it to depart Manchester United, the club he transferred from aged 16? "This turned out relatively straightforward, because I got to the stage where I realized I couldn't establish myself at first-team level. I'm hugely grateful for the years at the club but it reached a stage where I thought I needed to go my own route, drop down the leagues and play men's football. Now I'm slowly working my way back up."

Life in Swansea

This occurs during the middle of the day at Swansea's Fairwood training base but Galbraith has an appointment at the early evening: a road rules assessment, another move in the direction of getting on the road. Before his recent move to his new neighborhood, the mid-twenties player was a frequent passenger in Swansea's so-called fun bus, a small coach driven by academy staff, the drivers, which transports players to and from practice and games.

"It's myself a teammate, another squad member, Malick Yalcouyé – Melker Widell used to be in it but has started driving. It's enjoyable to spend time with the guys but I'm aiming to be the next one to stop using the bus and driving. His teammate is known for his humor; he's constantly causing mischief."

Public Engagement

While playing for his former club, Galbraith would travel alongside fans on London's Central line after commuting at Brentwood. "I tried|I attempted|My aim