Equilibrium, defined in the dictionary as a state of mental or emotional composure, is an attribute Canaries skipper Russell Martin intends to encourage this season.

It is a result of the 29-year-old's painful experience of Premier League relegation in 2014 – something he is desperate to avoid repeating.

Following an excellent 3-1 win at Sunderland kick-starting City's season on Saturday, Martin will not be getting carried away with the result ahead of this weekend's clash with Stoke City.

'I think the important thing is, regardless of the result and performance we need to maintain equilibrium this year. Let's not get too high or too low,' the versatile defender said.

'I think we were guilty of that at the football club in the previous Premier League season.

'This year let's just take every game as it comes, try and enjoy it and we'll hopefully pick up plenty of points.'

Martin was happy to savour the victory following the final whistle at the Stadium of Light however, having opened the scoring in the 26th minute, followed by further goals from Steven Whittaker and Nathan Redmond – even if there was frustration at conceding a late goal from Duncan Watmore.

'I didn't know anything about it but you've got to be in the right position to score so I'm really pleased with it,' the Canaries captain said of his goal, which came after Black Cats keeper Costel Pantilimon spilled Robbie Brady's powerful shot.

'It's my first goal and hopefully there's a few more to come from the defenders.

'Whitts (Whittaker) has got his goal as well and we're going to need goals spread around the team, especially at set-pieces, and with the full-backs having the licence to bomb on, hopefully they'll get a couple as well.

'So it was great for us and long may it continue.'