Response from pass to defender (8)
I believe the answer is:
comeback
'response' is the definition.
(I know that comeback is a type of response)
'pass to defender' is the wordplay.
'pass' becomes 'come' (coming is a kind of passing).
'to defender' becomes 'back' (left-backs and right-backs are football defenders).
'come'+'back'='COMEBACK'
'from' is the link.
(Other definitions for comeback that I've seen before include "return appearance" , "rejoinder" , "A return to prominence" , "Rally" , "make a reappearance" .)