Does better than, though a little backward (4)

I believe the answer is:

tops

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'does better than' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for tops that I've seen before include "Goes beyond" , "Upper garments" , "Betters" , "Surpasses; toys" , "Exceeds" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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