Everton snatched a vital three points at home in a battle between two sides struggling for Premiership survival.
The Toffees were just five points above the drop zone going into the home tie and Pompey sat in 16th position just one place above the relegation zone and only on goal difference.
They have collected just four points on their travels this season and have failed to secure a win in their last five matches.
Everton's only away win this season was at Fratton Park last December and the Toffees were keen to make it a win double.
The home side dominated right from the whistle when Gary Naysmith's 30-yard shot was cleared by Portsmouth keeper Shaka Hislop after just three minutes.
Portsmouth regained possession and should have scored when Richard Hughes received a cross from Eyal Berkovic only to see his effort sail over the crossbar.
England international Wayne Rooney had a first attempt on goal after 13 minutes but it was expertly headed away by Portsmouth defender Linvoy Primus.
The Toffees began to dominate the game again shortly after when Alex Nyarko's right-footed shot from 20 yards screamed past the right-hand post.
Portsmouth briefly clawed their way back into contention after 20 minutes when a Yakubu Ayegbeni shot was blocked by former England goalkeeper Nigel Martyn.
But Portsmouth's possession was short-lived when it was dramatically brought to a halt by Naysmith after his 20-yard strike was saved by Hislop.
Yakubu was brought down by Steve Watson after 30 minutes but the South Coast outfit's penalty appeals were ignored by referee Neale Barry.
Everton skipper Duncan Ferguson was then forced off the pitch after suffering with the recurrence of his hamstring injury.
Replacement Tomasz Radzinski made an instant impact on the match when his first pass of the game was a cross to Rooney.
The 18-year-old fired yet another shot towards the visitors goal, but again it was blocked by Hughes.
Steve Stone missed a late first-half opportunity to put Portsmouth ahead after his free-kick was cleared by Ghanaian midfielder Nyarko.
The home side continued their domination into the second half and centre-forward Rooney had an early opportunity to give Everton the lead.
However, the chance was wasted when his 46th minute strike was caught easily by Hislop.
The youngster was gifted another attempt at goal when Kevin Kilbane was brought down by Berkovic after 51 minutes, but again he failed to score from just outside the penalty area and the shot was headed away by the Portsmouth defence.
Stone was then fouled by Nigerian defender Joseph Yobo, which gifted Pompey with a 40-yard free-kick.
Taylor made the shot at goal, but it sailed wide of the left-hand post.
Radzinski received a cross from Naysmith inside the Portsmouth penalty area after 60 minutes, but his powerful shot missed and flew wide just past the right-hand post.
Berkovic was given a yellow card 18 minutes into the second half for dissent and Harry Redknapp substituted him for Ivica Mornar shortly after.
Alan Stubbs almost brought Everton ahead in the 67th minute with a shot from just inside the penalty area, but there was little power behind the kick and it was easily caught by Taylor.
Portsmouth were gifted a free- kick after Hughes was brought down following an elbow to the head in a challenge with Toffees defender Yobo, but the shot was wasted and kicked away by the Goodison outfit.
Rooney gave the home side a vital goal 76 minutes into the game with a powerful 20-yard strike.
The young striker should have doubled the lead minutes later, but the shot from ten yards was wide of the left-hand post.
Portsmouth wasted a vital opportunity to draw level after a corner in the 80th minute taken by Mornar was easily cleared by the Everton defence.
Rooney was gifted a third chance in ten minutes, but his right-footed strike again was wide of hitting the left-hand post.
A home win for the Goodison outfit moved them three points closer to safety and leaves Pompey's Premiership future in doubt as they drop deep into the relegation zone.
Speaking after the match, home boss David Moyes praised the efforts of Rooney.
He said: "This is a great result for us. It wasn't a great game, but picking up points is all that matters at this stage in the season and quality sometimes just goes out the window.
"We had one little piece of quality in Wayne and he undoubtedly won us the game.
"You have to be tough and competitive to be a good central midfielder or striker in English football and Wayne has certainly proved himself.
"It was a tight game and I am very sure Harry Redknapp will be deeply disappointed that his side are travelling home empty-handed." Man of the Match: Wayne Rooney – The England man's persistence and aggression added to his undoubted ability ensured a superb all-round display that culminated in the winning goal.