Published work by journalist performed better (9)
I believe the answer is:
outplayed
'performed better' is the definition.
(to outplay someone is to perform better than them)
'published work by journalist' is the wordplay.
'published' becomes 'out' (a published book is 'out').
'work' becomes 'play' (dramatic work).
'by' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'journalist' becomes 'ed' (short for editor).
'out'+'play'+'ed'='OUTPLAYED'
(Other definitions for outplayed that I've seen before include "Well beaten" , "Performed better than" .)