Clint Dempsey thrilled with first ever hat-trick and eyeing Fulham clash with Everton in FA Cup fourth round

Clint Dempsey had a very nice week. Last Monday, the American was involved in his first win over Arsenal and on Saturday the Fulham star grabbed his first hat-trick as a professional, getting 2012 off to a very bright start.

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“It’s nice because I can say I’ve done it,” Dempsey told Goal.com when asked about his hat-trick in the 4-0 FA Cup win over Charlton.

“I’ve come close a lot of times, but I’ve just managed two goals as the highest [in any game] and I’ve done that quite a few times now.

"It’s good to reach that milestone and hopefully there will be more to come.”

Dempsey’s goal tally has improved every season with Fulham. The hat-trick over the weekend put him within one goal of reaching his career high for a single season of 13 in all competitions, which he set last term.

With six goals in the Premier League and just as many in cup matches, the midfielder acknowledged that playing on multiple fronts opens up more chances to grab goals.

“I think being part of the Europa League and being in these cup competitions, along with playing in the league, gives you more chances to score goals because it gives you more games to play in,” he said.

“It’s good to get my numbers up and the main goal is to improve every year. I had 13 goals in all competitions last year so hopefully I can get more than that.”

The hat-trick sent Fulham through to the fourth round of the FA Cup, where on Sunday the club were drawn against Everton and Dempsey's national team-mates Tim Howard and Landon Donovan.

But while American fans will surely be drawn to the intriguing match-up, Dempsey will be approaching the game as if he were facing any regular opponent.

“It’s cool to see more Americans playing in Europe, but when you play the game you’re playing against an opponent,” Dempsey said.

“You’re not playing against friends. Even if my brother was playing on the other team, you’re going out there to win the game regardless of who you’re playing against.

“Playing against two fellow national team players in Tim Howard and Landon Donovan, it’s good to see, but come game day they’re your opponent. They’re going to do everything they can to try and get the better of you. That doesn’t change no matter who you play.”

With Manchester United having knocked bitter rivals Manchester City out of the cup, and now facing a heavyweight showdown with Liverpool, it seems likely that a non-traditional power could once again find FA Cup glory.

And with the experience in the current Fulham side - with many of the squad members having been involved in the club’s run to the Europa League final in 2010 - Dempsey would like to see his team make a long cup run.

“We would like to make a run in the FA Cup because we’re out of the Europa League now,” he said.

“You know that any time playing away from home is difficult, especially playing a team like Everton, which I always thought they had a lot of quality. I look forward to the game and hopefully we can go on a nice run.”

Dempsey and the Cottagers will be back in action on Saturday with an away match against Blackburn, with the game against Everton taking place at the end of the month.

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