BEIJING, Nov. 16 (Xinhuanet) -- Despite having been released on Friday, Eminem's new album "Encore" went straight to the top of the U.K. charts Sunday.

    Its two-day sales total of 122,459 copies was enough to overtake the full-week tally of 115,341 for Britney Spears' "Greatest Hits -- My Prerogative," which was relegated to a No. 2 debut.

    Behind them on the album chart, Westlife's collection of "Rat Pack"-inspired covers, "Allow Us To Be Frank," arrived at No. 3, followed by Shania Twain's "Greatest Hits" at No. 6. Daniel Bedingfield's sophomore album, "Second First Impression, debuted at No. 8, while reunited Scottish group Wet Wet Wet's "The Greatest Hits" bowed at No. 13.

    But there was disappointing news for Elton John, especially after a week of busy promotion of his new album, "Peachtree Road." The set debuted at No. 21, quite a way off from the No. 2 start for its predecessor, "Songs From the West Coast," in October 2001.

    On the U.K. singles chart, U2's "Vertigo" went straight to the top, earning the veteran Irish rock act its fifth British chart-topper.

    Pop regulars Blue debuted at No. 4 with "Curtain Falls," while Australian star Delta Goodrem's "Out of the Blue" opened at No. 9. Teen pop act V came in at No. 12 with "You Stood Up," followed by rapper Dizzee Rascal's "Dream" at No. 14.

    Across Europe, Robbie Williams was in a third week at No. 1 on the European Top 100 Albums chart with "Greatest Hits," while Eminem's "Just Lose It" debuted at No. 1 on the Eurochart Hot 100 Singles survey, after topping charts in the U.K., Denmark and Switzerland. Enditem

(CRIENGLISH.com)