SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- David Akers is keeping his job as San Franciscos starting kicker. For now, anyway. Coach Jim Harbaugh made the announcement after practice Thursday, two days ahead of the 49ers NFC divisional playoff game against the Green Bay Packers (12-5) at Candlestick Park. "Suffice it to say we feel confident in David giving us the best chance to win," Harbaugh said. The 49ers (11-4-1) signed Billy Cundiff on Jan. 1 to compete with Akers, a 15-year veteran who has struggled this season while making only 29 of 42 field-goal attempts. He has plenty of supporters in the locker room who still believe he can put the ball through the uprights on the NFLs biggest stage. "Its nice to see that Akers gets an opportunity to redeem himself, especially in the playoffs," safety Donte Whitner said. "If he does it in the playoffs, I believe that everybody will forget about the misses that he had in the regular season." Akers revealed last week he underwent double hernia surgery last February, then re-aggravated the area earlier this season when he slipped on the field during practice. After a Nov. 25 game at New Orleans, Akers returned to the doctor in Philadelphia who performed the surgery to receive an injection. The left-footed Akers understood why Cundiff was brought in, but made it clear he wants to remain the kicker. "He responded like a football player does," Harbaugh said. "He competed." Cundiff, who missed a potential tying 32-yarder that might have kept Baltimore and Harbaughs big brother, John, from reaching the Super Bowl last season, will remain on the roster. Harbaugh said he isnt likely to be among the active players Saturday. "To be determined -- most likely not," Harbaugh said. "Hes done a nice job. Davids done a better job and is more prepared to give us the best chance to win." Akers received death threats last month via Twitter, and NFL and team security got involved. He missed overtime kicks twice against the Rams this season, with the 49ers losing at St. Louis and tying at home. Akers had a field goal blocked in a loss at Seattle on Dec. 23 that Richard Sherman returned 90 yards for a touchdown. He missed two more wide left in a home victory against Arizona in the regular-season finale before bouncing back to make two. The 38-year-old Akers began the season by making a 63-yarder in a season-opening win at Green Bay in which the ball bounced off the crossbar and through the uprights. Last week, he said, "I would definitely give that 63-yarder back to make the two kicks against St. Louis." Akers wasnt available to the media Thursday. "I have a lot of confidence in him," cornerback Carlos Rogers said. "I actually thought that was going to be the choice. I thought he should stick with David from the get-go. I think that was just a little pressure to get David back on point. He was a little off. Im glad hes out kicking. Coach is not the guy that brings in a lot of people, changes a lot of positions. "We kind of stick who weve stuck with from the beginning of training camp. Davids that guy. Ive said all along Davids going to make the kick to help us win the Super Bowl. Thats just been my mindset, since Day 1." Rogers would know, too. They faced off for six seasons in the NFC East -- Akers for the Eagles and Rogers with the Washington Redskins. Akers made 20 of 22 field goals in their head-to-head meetings, missing only from 50 and 53 yards. Akers made 44 of 52 field goals during his All-Pro 2011 season, his first in a three-year deal after joining San Francisco. His reliable left leg had seemed near-perfect -- causing his teammates to wonder why the Eagles would ever let him go -- until this up-and-down season. When asked whether Akers playoff experience factored into the decision and gave him an edge over Cundiff, Harbaugh said, "feel like weve plowed that ground as thoroughly as it can possibly be plowed." His teammates were happy to hear the news. "Everybody respects Dave in this locker room," backup quarterback Alex Smith said. "I know its been tough. Its not easy. It seems like you only really get noticed when you go out there and fail. Everybody has respect for what Dave is about, what he stands for. "Hes obviously gone through a rough patch. Happy to see him win the competition. I hope it gets him back on track." Cheap Kansas City Chiefs Jerseys . Alfonso Soriano hit a two-run homer that landed on Waveland Avenue and Rizzo added a solo shot, helping Chris Volstad and the Cubs beat the weary Giants 6-4 on Friday. cheap authentic nfl jerseys . -- The Minnesota Vikings announced Wednesday that cornerback Asher Allen has retired from football, a curious decision for a 24-year-old who was about to enter only his fourth NFL season. http://www.cheapauthenticjerseyschina.net/ . Madrid rebounded from its last away loss at Real Betis with a valuable three points that cut the gap with Barcelona to eight points before the league leaders tough visit on Sunday to the Seville-based side. Cheap Arizona Cardinals Jerseys . Catcher J.P. Arencibia backed up Romeros six effective innings with a three-run homer and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Red Sox 7-4 on Thursday night. http://www.cheapauthenticjerseyschina.net/nike-nfl-jerseys-china_kansas-city-chiefs-jersey-china/ . Currently sitting fifth in the Western Conference, the Whitecaps are a victory from clinching a historic post-season berth. If they are able to secure their first ever win over the Portland Timbers Sunday at BC Place, the second-year franchise will become the first Canadian based team to play in the MLS playoffs.MANCHESTER, England -- Manchester City fell three points behind Manchester United in the Premier League title race after the champions were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton on Saturday. Marouane Fellaini headed Everton in front in the 33rd minute but conceded a penalty 10 minutes later after tangling with Edin Dzeko, allowing Carlos Tevez to equalize from the spot. The draw maintained Citys unbeaten start to its title defence, however it also allowed United to extend its lead by winning 4-3 at Reading. "In this moment, we are not very strong with our strikers," City manager Roberto Mancini said. "We need them to score more goals." City has gone 37 home games without defeat, a sequence stretching back to a loss to Everton two years ago. "Everton is always a difficult game because they work hard, they defend very well," City manager Roberto Mancini said. "In the second half we played better, probably deserved to score another goal. "In the end we are not happy, but the season is long and this doesnt change anything. If you dont pay attention you can lose three points, and it is sometimes better to take one." It was Evertons seventh draw in its past nine games. "Weve been playing well in most of the games and we showed it again against the champions," Everton manager David Moyes said. "I was pleased with that and then 20 minutes after halftime we knew we would have to weather it. "Manchester City tend to get better in the second half and they did do. It was a good draw for us. Weve had some bad draws but that was a good draw." The match took some while to warm up and City was hit by an early blow as Aleksandar Kolarov limped off after just six minutes. Manager Roberto Mancini had opted to rest the hard-working Pablo Zabaleta but the in-form Argentine was summoned from the bench straight away. Defender Joleon Lescott made an unexpected return to the side, to face his former club, in place of Matija Nastasic. The England defender looked composed as he resumed his partnership with Vincent Kompany after more than a month out of the starting line-up. Everton playmaker Leon Osman gave the City defennce plenty to think about in the early stages without creating a clear-cut opening.dddddddddddd Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard had to pick himself up from a collision with Dzeko after coming to claim a cross from Maicon, who looked dangerous in attack but vulnerable in defence. City threatened the Everton goal in the 20th when David Silva crossed and Dzeko headed wide. But Everton took the lead after Leighton Baines, who passed a fitness test to feature, crossed and Fellaini eventually headed in. Kompany did well to divert the cross away from Nikica Jelavic but it dropped for Fellaini, who headed home at the second attempt at the far post after goalkeeper Joe Hart saved his initial effort. That brought the game to life and City almost found an immediate equalizer as Tevez met Nasris cross with a deft header that Howard did well to save. Gareth Barry then chested down another cross from Nasri for Dzeko to turn and shoot but again Howard was alert. Controversy followed the resulting corner as Dzeko tangled with Fellaini and went to ground. Referee Lee Probert sparked immediate protests from Everton by pointing to the spot, and Tevez made no mistake as he stepped up to score. Whether or not Fellaini was unfairly penalized, he almost produced the perfect response in the final moments of the first half with a glancing header from Steven Pienaars cross, but Hart saved. City upped the tempo at the start of the second half but again it took time before the chances came, aside from a shot from Tevez which was blocked by Phil Jagielka. While Tevez also headed over, it was not until just after the hour that City seriously threatened again as Maicon burst down the field and forced Howard to parry a powerful 18-yard drive. City decided to freshen up their attack by sending on Sergio Aguero, but the crowd wasnt happy that it was Tevez he replaced and boos rang around the ground. The game became scrappy as Evertons hard-working defence did their best to repel Citys threat. Mario Balotelli replaced Dzeko and did inject some energy into the side, but sent his best effort wide. Everton went close in stoppage time through Jelavics free kick that Hart saved. ' ' '