The Serbian striker slotted home from the spot on 51 minutes after Jacob Wright fouled former Norwich man Abu Kamara.

Frustrations boiled over at full-time, with loud boos and chants of ‘We want (Ben) Knapper out’ as City slipped to 21st in the table following their eighth defeat in 11 games.

Philippe Clement made one change to the starting XI that lost to Southampton in midweek. Jovon Makama was handed his first start of the season, replacing Mathias Kvistgaarden, who dropped to the bench.

It was an emotional afternoon at Carrow Road as City paid tribute to former majority owner Michael Wynn Jones following his recent passing. Supporters, staff and players past and present came together for a pre-match commemoration celebrating his life and contribution to the club.

After a spine-tingling rendition of ‘On The Ball City’, the game got underway, with the away side enjoying much of the early possession without creating any real opportunities during the opening quarter.

Norwich looked to make Pompey pay on 23 minutes when Anis Ben Slimane found space in the box to square for Andre Brooks. The winger tapped home, but the linesman had already flagged Slimane offside as the hosts continued to lack an attacking spark.

There was a stoppage in play on the half-hour mark as Portsmouth defender Madiodio Dia received treatment, allowing Clement to address his group.

But the pattern of the game continued after the restart, with the lively Ryan Kavuma-McQueen robbing Jack Stacey before driving at Jacob Wright and Ruairi McConville and beating both.

From a tight angle on the left, he flashed his effort high and wide over the crossbar.

McConville had Norwich’s first attempt of the contest moments later, letting fly from 25 yards. Nicolas Schmid in the Portsmouth net claimed the defender’s effort at the second attempt, prompting a chant of ‘We’ve had a shot’ from the Barclay end as frustration grew at a lacklustre showing.

Slimane was next to try his luck from distance, but the Tunisian’s shot was wild and sailed high over the crossbar.

Kamara, back in familiar surroundings, had a chance to hand the visitors the lead before the break when a corner fell kindly to him at the back post. However, he scuffed his effort as the teams went in goalless at half-time.

Clement made a defensive change at the interval, bringing on Darlin Yongwa for Ben Chrisene as City went in search of an improved showing.

But within four minutes of the restart, Portsmouth were awarded a penalty. Oscar Schwartau lost possession to Kamara on the right before the former Norwich man gathered a loose ball inside the 18-yard box ahead of Jacob Wright.

Wright brought down the former Norwich academy graduate from behind, leaving Gavin Ward with little choice but to point to the spot.

Marezi was handed the responsibility and coolly slotted past Daniel Grimshaw for his third goal of the campaign, leaving Norwich on course for a fifth successive Championship defeat.

Lucien Mahovo and Paris Maghoma were introduced for Brooks and Slimane just before the hour mark, and Mahovo quickly created an opening for Makama with a neat cutback from the by-line. Makama swivelled but sent his attempt over the crossbar.

But Pompey remained the more threatening side, and a quick counter-attack following Stacey’s intercepted throw-in almost led to a second.

Dia picked out Kamara, who quickly laid the ball off to Adrian Segecic. He darted towards goal before Grimshaw and McConville combined to win the ball ahead of the midfielder’s attempted shot.

Pelle Mattsson, who netted against Portsmouth at Carrow Road last season, thought he had pulled City back into the game.

The Dane unleashed a shot from the edge of the box that beat Schmid, but thundered off the left post and agonisingly bounced back out.

That prompted the hosts to begin pushing for an equaliser, with Kvistgaarden next to go close. The substitute fired his effort from the edge of the area into the side netting.

Despite their late efforts, Norwich were unable to find a breakthrough as Portsmouth extended their strong Carrow Road record, having not been beaten in Norfolk since 2002.

The Canaries return to Championship action next Saturday, travelling to the capital to face Nathan Jones’ Charlton Athletic in desperate need of a response.

Norwich City starting XI against Portsmouth (Image: Adam Harvey)

Substitutes:

40 Caleb Ansen (GK)
6 Harry Darling
12 Lucien Mahovo (for Brooks, 57)
13 Darlin Yongwa (for Chrisene, 46)
25 Paris Maghoma (for Slimane, 57)
26 Sam Field
30 Mathias Kvistgaarden (for Schwartau, 72)
35 Kellen Fisher
46 Errol Mundle-Smith

Bookings: Schwartau (65), Kvistgaarden (89)

Goals:

Portsmouth starting XI against Norwich City (Image: Adam Harvey)

30 Ben Killip (GK)
31 Daniel Bielica (GK)
9 Colby Bishop
17 Tyrese Shade (for Marezi, 69)
19 Rocco Shein
24 Terry Devlin (for Pack, 79)
27 Odin Bailey (for Kavuma-McQueen, 69)
32 Eoin Kenny
38 Ebou Adams (for Mohamed, 60)

Bookings: Marezi (54), Kavuma-McQueen (63)

Goals: Marezi (51)

50: 0-1 GOAL PORTSMOUTH (Marezi). Abu Kamara is fouled by Jacob Wright on his blindside inside the 18-yard box. Gavin Ward points to the spot. Serbian striker Marezi steps up and slots home to fire Portsmouth ahead.

78: 0-1 Pelle Mattsson tries his luck from the edge of the area, with his effort thundering back off the left post with keeper Nicolas Schmid beaten.

Full Time: Norwich City 0-1 Portsmouth

PLAYER RATINGS

Grimshaw 6; Stacey 7, McConville 6, Cordoba 6, Chrisene 5; Mattsson (C) 5, Wright 5; Brooks 4, Slimane 4, Schwartau 5; Makama 5 (Subs): Yongwa 5, Mahovo 6, Maghoma 5, Kvistgaarden 5.

MATCH STATISTICS

Possession: 50pc-50pc

Shots: 9-9

On target: 2-2

Corners: 1-1

Fouls: 13-13

Added time: 3 mins / 4 mins

Attendance: 25, 790 (1360 away)

Referee: Gavin Ward