Nelly holds off Justin's bid for top slot

Justin Timberlake’s debut solo release today failed to knock US rapper Nelly off the top of the singles chart.

Like I Love You, which has a rap by The Clipse, was predicted to easily shoot to the top spot.

But instead the single by the NSync singer and ex-boyfriend of Britney Spears went straight in at number two.

Nelly’s latest single, Dilemma, featuring Kelly Rowland from Destiny’s Child, has held on to number one after storming to the top of the singles chart last week.

One Love, the new offering from Boy band Blue, entered the singles charts at number three this week.

While U2’s single Electric Storm went straight in at number five, following the band’s eight-month absence from the charts.

Pop trio Las Ketchup slipped two places to the fourth spot. The Ketchup Song had swept across Europe scoring a string of number ones and a fortnight ago swept to number one in the UK.

I’m Right Here by RnB star Samantha Mumba slipped five places to number ten, while There By the Grace Of God by Welsh rockers the Manic Street Preachers fell 23 places to number 29.

Pop Idol duo, Gareth Gates and Will Young, slipped three places to number 13 with their cover of The Beatles’ The Long And Winding Road.

In the album charts, Will Young’s first collection From Now On tumbled from the number one spot to number four.

The top spot was taken by the Foo Fighters’ One By One – the fourth album by the outfit fronted by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl.

There was more good news for Nelly in the album charts, with Nellyville moving up three places to number two.

Richard Ashcrofts’s new album Human conditions went straight in at number three, while S Club Juniors’ Together entered at number five.