However, the 26-year-old stepped into the first team for the absent Brede Hangeland at the Stadium of Light and admitted it had been a long wait.
Senderos told the club's official website: "It took a little while to find my feet, which is natural, but of course, this was a good day all round.
"I had waited a long time to make my debut for the club and I'm delighted to have finally pulled on the shirt.
"But of course, it is never about individuals - the team performed very well and in what was a difficult game we got the job done. I think we showed a lot of character and quite often in football, that can be the big difference."
Source: PA