Lorent Tolaj netted a spectacular first goal for Bristol City to set them on course for a 2-1 Championship win over Portsmouth at Ashton Gate.
The hosts took a 31st-minute lead through a breathtaking move and finish. Yu Hirakawa and Jason Knight combined to free Jed Wallace on the left and his cross was brilliantly converted by former Plymouth striker Tolaj with a first-time, right-footed finish at the near post.
The advantage was doubled after 56 minutes when City skipper Knight met a Rio Cardines corner from the left with an unstoppable header into the roof of the net from a central position.
It wasn't until the fifth minute of stoppage time that Portsmouth substitute Marezi reduced the arrears, sending goalkeeper Sam Tickle the wrong way with a low penalty after he had been fouled in the box by Lisav Eissat.
For City boss Michael Skubala, it was a welcome first home victory in charge following defeats by Walsall in the Carabao Cup and Millwall in the league. His side showed greater quality in the final third to merit their success.
Both teams were unchanged, City from a 2-2 draw at Birmingham and Pompey from a 3-1 away win over Lincoln.
The home side made a bright start and had the first goal attempt on three minutes when Scott Twine fired over from just outside the box.
A better opportunity for City came after 12 minutes when Rob Dickie latched on to a Cardines free-kick to the far post and saw his downward header well saved by Nicolas Schmid.
Tolaj's goal was the highlight of an evenly-contested first half that saw Portsmouth have plenty of possession without forcing a single save from Tickle.
Their only effort of note came on 33 minutes when Ryan Kavuma-McQueen sent a low shot narrowly wide from the edge of the area.
Portsmouth made a change at the break, sending on Ebou Adams for Rocco Shein.
The start of the second half followed the same pattern as the first, Portsmouth unable to summon up a clinical final pass to create a clear opening.
They were punished when midfielder Knight showed greater determination than any defender to head City's second goal.
Both managers made changes, Pompey sending on Harvey Blair, Marezi and Madiodio Dia for Kavuma-McQueen, Colby Bishop and Ben Arthur, while City introduced Sam Greenwood and Tomi Horvat for Twine and Wallace.
Further substitutions followed, but nothing Portsmouth boss John Mousinho could do gave his side their missing cutting edge.
Adrian Segecic flashed a shot wide at the start of stoppage time before Marezi's penalty proved too little too late.
Bristol City's Michael Skubala:
"It was a fantastic finish for the first goal, but I have seen Lorent do that in training. What pleased me as much was that the move leading up to it came off the training ground because we had worked on hurting them in transition.
"Lorent was unlucky not to score in our last game and will gain a lot of confidence from his first goal. We have good attacking options now among our group of strikers.
"Jason Knight gave a captain's performance and capped it with his goal. We are still in contract negotiations with him and I want to keep all my good players at the club.
"That was a training ground goal as well. We worked on getting Jason into a position to score and it was a great header.
"I thought our fans were outstanding. I know from experience how loud the Pompey supporters can be, but ours were brilliant and it was great to reward them with three points.
"It is not about me and getting my first win. The important thing was for the players to get a victory under their belts.
"I will have a glass of red wine with the staff and then get straight on with preparing for our next game against Preston on Tuesday."
Portsmouth's John Mousinho:
"It came because we were not patient enough in getting the ball forward. We went direct and left them space in midfield to counter attack.
"People complain when teams get caught playing out from the back, but sometimes it can be just as much of an error to lose possession by knocking balls forward too early.
"I don't think there was a lot wrong with the team and there was not much to choose between the sides. We expected a tough game because of the way Bristol City have performed over the last couple of seasons.
"If we had gone in level at half time, there would have been the chance to reassess and it might have been a different outcome.
"The second goal was unacceptable. We had delegated someone to mark Jason Knight and to attack the ball in that zone.
"It was a stonewall penalty at the end because our player was held as the cross came in. Marezi took it well, but it wasn't enough.
"We are still hoping to bring in a few players before the transfer deadline, but I am not sure how close we are."
