Man-of-the-match Morgan smacked an unbeaten 89 off 63 balls as the hosts posted 5-272 from their 50 overs despite being sent in under testing conditions for batting.
In reply, Clarke (61) and David Warner (56) were the mainstays but did not receive support from the middle order, with the exception of Matthew Wade who was run out by the skipper.Brett Lee (1-57) equalled Glenn McGrath's record for the most one-day international wickets for Australia but, like many of his teammates, was slapped around by Morgan late in the innings.
With the series viewed as a teaser for next year's Ashes series, much of the focus has centred on the chance for Australia's inexperienced players to have a taste of English conditions.
Such talk does not sit well with Clarke.
"I want to win," he said.
"I don't care what eleven players take the field. I want to win the game.
"These are not five trial games for us. They are five internationals and we need to improve our one-day cricket and we are here to win."
So does England, especially with the potential prize of overtaking Australia as the No.1 one-day team with a 5-0 series whitewash.
England entered the series on the back of six straight one-day series wins at home but with Australia having won eight of their previous nine encounters.
Ian Bell (41) and captain Alastair Cook (40) did well to survive some excellent bowling from Lee and Clint McKay but departed once the clouds had parted.
Jonathan Trott (54) consolidated the innings before Morgan ensured a healthy total by slapping Lee for consecutive sixes in the 47th over.
"Sometimes it comes off, sometimes it doesn't," Morgan said.
"I play in the same team as him (Lee) in the IPL and practise with him quite a bit. He more than not nails his yorker so for him to miss it today was surprising."
In reply, Australia cruised to 1-96 in the 19th over before James Anderson appeared to tweak his groin.
His mood improved when he removed George Bailey (29) and the dangerous Warner (56) in consecutive overs.
The tide turned England's way when David Hussey (13) had a Steve Finn short ball hit him on the shoulder and deflect off his helmet onto the stumps.
Steve Smith (8) departed with a tame fend off a Tim Bresnan ball.
Clarke and Wade resurrected hopes with a 57-run stand only for a mix-up resulting in the wicketkeeper sacrificing his wicket.
"It was disappointing, run outs tend to cost you the game," Clarke said.
Bresnan, who dropped a return catch with Clarke on 16, started finding reverse swing in the final overs and curled a ball in that trapped Clarke in front.
It was always to be a big ask from Australia from then on despite Lee's (29no) best efforts.
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