CLINT Dempsey has warned Chelsea that Fulham's big-game mentality will ensure they enter Sunday's west London derby convinced they can prevail.
Fulham became the scourge of the top four last season, plundering nine points from the quartet including victories against Arsenal and Manchester United.
Dempsey scored twice in the 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Craven Cottage and the American admits he and his team-mates thrive on the centre stage.
"It shows how far we've come that we will play Chelsea hoping to get something from the game," he said.
"You must always believe you can get something out of every game, otherwise you shouldn't be playing.
"We are a team that has a lot of character and have quality in the side.
"When you play the big games you always want to get something out of them.
"That's why you're in one of the top leagues in the world, you want to play against the best and take advantage of every opportunity you get.
"It's not every day you get to play against the top teams and it's always great when you get a chance to come up against them and try things out."
The rapidly-improving Dempsey was on target in last night's 3-1 Europa League play-off victory against Russian club Amkar Perm, curling home a wonderful 25-yard effort.
The result has placed Fulham in a strong position to qualify for the group stage of the competition and ensure they face Chelsea with a 100% start to the season following four successive victories.
"The second leg against Amkar will be a tough game but we're in a good situation and are happy with the performance we put in last night," said Dempsey
"It's good to do well in all competitions but the Europa League isn't the most important thing, that title belongs to the Premier League.
"We've started off on the right foot by getting a win in our first game against Portsmouth last weekend."
The only setback against the Russians was the dislocated collarbone suffered by striker Andy Johnson, who will be out for up to eight weeks.
Boss Roy Hodgson is likely to select Erik Nevland alongside Bobby Zamora but Dempsey is ready to fill an advanced role if required.
"Wherever the coach wants me to play I'm going to try my best, starting in training to learn the moves to be the best in the key position you're in," he said.
"We have some good forwards still so it's a choice the boss will have to make. I'm just going to do my best to help the team win wherever I play."
ends
Dempsey scored twice in the 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Craven Cottage and the American admits he and his team-mates thrive on the centre stage.
"It shows how far we've come that we will play Chelsea hoping to get something from the game," he said.
"You must always believe you can get something out of every game, otherwise you shouldn't be playing.
"We are a team that has a lot of character and have quality in the side.
"When you play the big games you always want to get something out of them.
"That's why you're in one of the top leagues in the world, you want to play against the best and take advantage of every opportunity you get.
"It's not every day you get to play against the top teams and it's always great when you get a chance to come up against them and try things out."
The rapidly-improving Dempsey was on target in last night's 3-1 Europa League play-off victory against Russian club Amkar Perm, curling home a wonderful 25-yard effort.
The result has placed Fulham in a strong position to qualify for the group stage of the competition and ensure they face Chelsea with a 100% start to the season following four successive victories.
"The second leg against Amkar will be a tough game but we're in a good situation and are happy with the performance we put in last night," said Dempsey
"It's good to do well in all competitions but the Europa League isn't the most important thing, that title belongs to the Premier League.
"We've started off on the right foot by getting a win in our first game against Portsmouth last weekend."
The only setback against the Russians was the dislocated collarbone suffered by striker Andy Johnson, who will be out for up to eight weeks.
Boss Roy Hodgson is likely to select Erik Nevland alongside Bobby Zamora but Dempsey is ready to fill an advanced role if required.
"Wherever the coach wants me to play I'm going to try my best, starting in training to learn the moves to be the best in the key position you're in," he said.
"We have some good forwards still so it's a choice the boss will have to make. I'm just going to do my best to help the team win wherever I play."
ends
Copyright (c) Press Association
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