Norwich striker Iwan Roberts scored the winner for his side as they inflicted a first league defeat of the season for Portsmouth.

Roberts headed in a Steen Nedergaard cross after 81 minutes for the decisive goal in this high-profile Division One encounter.

Portsmouth arrived on the back of seven straight wins and former England international Paul Merson, again impressive, nearly gave them a perfect start.

A brilliant piece of quick thinking saw Merson attempt an audacious lob from 30 yards after seeing keeper Rob Green off his line, but the ball dipped over the crossbar.

The first 10 minutes were very tight with neither side giving anything away.

Norwich's Paul Heckingbottom did find a bit of space on the edge of the area, but put his volley wide.

Deadlock

Nigel Quashie also tried his luck from the edge of the box for the visitors but could not keep his shot on target.

A foul by Linvoy Primus on Paul McVeigh resulted in a free-kick for Norwich 30 yards out in the 18th minute.

Phil Mulryne, who scored in the midweek win at Reading, curled the ball over the wall, but Hislop kept his effort out.

Mulryne tested Hislop again six minutes later when he struck a firm shot from 25 yards, which was again saved.

Portsmouth went straight up the other end and Quashie this time managed to test Green, who produced a smart save.

Neil Emblen nearly marked his first start for Norwich for over a year with a goal, but Hislop denied him from close-range seven minutes after the break.

Portsmouth came close to breaking the deadlock seconds later when Green was forced into a fine save to foil Matthew Taylor.

McVeigh, Darren Kenton and Mulryne all had attempts at goal as Norwich enjoyed a good spell.

Arjan de Zeeuw had a half chance for Portsmouth with 15 minutes left, but he could not direct his header, from Merson's corner, on target.

It was left to Roberts to earn Norwich three crucial points as they consolidated third place in the table.

Norwich: Green, Nedergaard, Kenton, Drury, Mackay, Heckingbottom, Mulryne, Holt, Emblen, Roberts, McVeigh. Subs: Crichton, Easton, Nielsen, Sutch, Llewellyn.

Portsmouth: Hislop, De Zeeuw, Festa, Primus, Harper, Quashie, Robinson, O'Neil, Taylor, Merson, Todorov. Subs: Kawaguchi, Pericard, Ritchie, Burchill, Cooper.

Referee: B Curson (Leicestershire)