His return to the summit follows the release of the big-screen film. Michael Jackson performs in concert circa 1988. Kevin Mazur/WireImage Trending on Billboard Michael Jackson has emerged victorious in a three-way battle to earn his first U.K. No. 1 album in 17 years. MJ was competing against Northern Ireland rap trio Kneecap and Spice Girl Melanie C, but pulled away in the final days to achieve the feat on the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart dated May 8. The release of new biopic Michael has seen streams for the King of Pop spike amid a record-breaking opening in theaters. The career-spanning The Essential Michael Jackson collection is No. 1 for the first time since his death in 2009; the compilation ruled for seven weeks following the news of his passing. Two more MJ albums see surges as 1982’s Thriller lifts two places to No. 6, while Bad is up five to No. 8, the first time it has appeared in the top 10 in 14 years. Kneecap earn a career-best with its second studio LP Fenian at No. 2.…