Defeat with a counter manoeuvre (7)
I believe the answer is:
trounce
'defeat' is the definition.
(I know that trounce is a type of defeat)
'a counter manoeuvre' is the wordplay.
'manoeuvre' indicates an anagram.
'counter' with letters rearranged gives 'TROUNCE'.
'with' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for trounce that I've seen before include "Beat soundly" , "Massacre" , "Defeat heavily in recount" , "Easily best" , "Defeat heavily (in contest)" .)