The dollar firmed on Friday ahead of a closely watched U.S. jobs report and after China said that pressure on the yuan to revalue was not that great. Sterling came under selling pressure after data showed a slowing property market and as British Prime Minister Tony Blair secured a third straight term but with a much slimmer majority. "There had been some talk from analysts that we may see a move this week and comments from Chinese officials have dampened this. As the market pares back expectations, it's helping dollar/yen," said Mitul Kotecha, head of global foreign exchange research.