Perform better, needing expenditure to cover parking (7)
I believe the answer is:
outplay
'perform better' is the definition.
(to outplay someone is to perform better than them)
'expenditure to cover parking' is the wordplay.
'expenditure' becomes 'outlay' (the cost of setting something up).
'to cover' indicates putting letters inside.
'parking' becomes 'p' (abbreviation on road signs).
'outlay' enclosing 'p' is 'OUTPLAY'.
'needing' is the link.
(Other definitions for outplay that I've seen before include "Get the better of" , "Perform better than" , "Excel at games" , "As sportsperson, overcome" , "Defeat (sport)" .)