After every round of Premier League fixtures, we pick our team of the weekend, explain our selections and then invite you – our loyal army of readers – to pick your team of top men. We’re looking for the players who caught your eye with dazzling displays or powerful performances on Matchday Five (22-23 September). You can choose any formation and there’s no limit on how many players you can pick from each team – so have a think, then get involved.

TEAMtalk’s Top Men (4-1-3-2): Schwarzer; Rafael, Vertonghen, Perch, Baines; Diame; Ramirez, Fellaini, Cazorla; Lambert, Lukaku.

Goalkeeper

Mark Schwarzer (Fulham): Veteran Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was in fine form at the DW Stadium on Saturday, producing a number of good saves in the second period to keep Latics at bay and help Martin Jol’s side to a first three-point haul on their travels this season, with his stop to deny Arouna Kone in the second period one highlight.

Defenders

Rafael (Manchester United): Even the most ardent Manchester United fan would have to admit they were second best for long periods against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, even after the hosts were reduced to 10 men. It took a special finish from Brazil full-back Rafael to kick-start their afternoon, with the defender curling a precise finish beyond a helpless Pepe Reina shortly after Steven Gerrard’s opener.

Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham): Belgium international Vertonghen demonstrated his versatility in the victory over QPR on Sunday, starting out in the centre of defence before switching to left-back at the interval to allow Gareth Bale to adopt a more attacking role. The summer signing was still able to make a superb surging run in the second period to release Bale before Jermain Defoe scored Spurs’ second.

James Perch (Newcastle): Another player who proved he can be a jack-of-all-trades rather than just a master of one, Perch started out in defence, switched to central midfield and ended the victory over Norwich at St James’ Park among the back-line once again. It was in a more advanced role where the former Nottingham Forest man shone, but he made a key contribution to the Magpies’ clean sheet.

Leighton Baines (Everton): Goodison Park favourite Baines is becoming something of a regular in our Team of the Week and he was again in fine form in Saturday’s success against Swansea at the Liberty Stadium. His attacking forays down the left and excellent dead-ball deliveries were again complemented by the usual no-nonsense defending from the England international.

Midfielders

Mohamed Diame (West Ham): West Ham only grabbed their leveller against a resolute Sunderland side deep into added time at Upton Park, and the fact that they were still pressing for a leveller at the stage owes much to the committed display of Diame. The Senegal international was a driving force from the Hammers’ engine room and constantly harried the North East side throughout the afternoon.

Gaston Ramirez (Southampton): Southampton finally secured their first Premier League success at the fifth time of asking, with Uruguay international Ramirez at the heart of so much of their good play against Aston Villa. The £12million summer signing was a constant threat to the visiting defence, dictating the play on his first start for the club and setting up Nathaniel Clyne as Saints dominated the second period.

Marouane Fellaini (Everton): Fellaini produced what can only be described as a complete midfield performance against Swansea on Saturday. The Belgium international scored Everton’s third, set up their first and had a hand in the second. The home defence and midfield were constantly bullied by his presence as he broke up play before getting involved in all the Toffees’ best attacking moments.

Santi Cazorla (Arsenal): Spain international Cazorla has made an immediate transition into the Premier League following his arrival from Malaga and again produced a master-class in the draw with champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. His ability to play the ball with ease from either foot sets him apart from so many of his rivals and he is the fulcrum from which the Gunners build the majority of their attacks.

Strikers

Rickie Lambert (Southampton): Any pundits who doubted Lambert’s ability to make his mark at the highest level will be eating their words after the former Macclesfield, Stockport, Rochdale and Bristol Rovers forward took his tally to four goals from five Premier League games. Lambert levelled matters against Villa from the edge of the box before completing the four-goal romp from the spot deep into added time.

Romelu Lukaku (West Brom): The inclusion of the on-loan Chelsea youngster for the clash with Reading ahead of former Royals striker Shane Long may have raised a few eyebrows, but Steve Clarke’s call was fully vindicated with the Belgium international scoring the only goal of the game after 71 minutes, with Long having stepped off the bench to play his part in creating the opportunity.

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