McCarthy's side slipped into 19th place, but the Yorkshireman promised they will be better when they entertain Everton next Saturday.
He said: "Newcastle, I don't feel, have ever been an easy touch to come up here and just expect to win because we have had a bit of momentum and have been playing well.
"Does a team that's been in the bottom three as long as we have suddenly become a great team that's going to play well every week?
"Well no, it's not, so we have had a bad one today. But we will re-group on Monday and we will get ready for Everton, and we will be better."
Source: PA
Source: PA