The Lions produced their best attacking performance of their tour, scoring three tries - two to England winger Jack Nowell - while also winning a penalty try from forward supremacy and producing a superb defensive performance to hold the Chiefs tryless.
The Lions scored four tries - the most they have managed on the tour so far - against the Chiefs.
"We're very happy, this was a tough fixture", Lions captain Rory Best said.
"We have got better the longer we have been in New Zealand". "Obviously it was in the back of your mind but we wanted to win tonight because we hadn't done that as a midweek team so far".
"I think we're going to have to take ourselves to a place that, individually, we've not been to before".
"The team room, for example, is swept regularly and no one is allowed in there unless they are part of the squad, and if there is any suspicion at all they will do another sweep".
And Gatland admitted: "The selection meeting will be tough - and that's the way we want it".
British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland has suggested Jack Nowell, Elliot Daly and Liam Williams all remain in the frame to start the first Test against New Zealand despite featuring in Tuesday's tour game against the Chiefs.
There have been plenty of flashes on the tour so far, but it took until last Saturday for it to form into one solid and satisfying performance against very hard opposition.
Gatland could now be left to ponder whether to start the out-of-sorts George North on the left wing against New Zealand, or promote Daly into the Test XV.
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The Lions may have their midweek side out here - and they may have some of the most controversial Lions ever on the bench - but their set piece should still be a focus point.
The Harlequin was walking off the pitch before referee Jerome Garces could even award the yellow card.
But just before Marler returned to the field, former Bath fly-half Donald put the Chiefs on the board with a penalty of his own.
And when the Lions drove through the middle, Nowell sniped home from the base of the ruck.
Can the Chiefs upset the Lions?
I stood behind one set of goalposts at FMG Stadium Waikato on Tuesday night so can offer nothing of note on the "Lions are offside" debate other than to state the obvious - modern rugby teams are all as cynical as each other.
The officials penalised Johnny Fa'auli for blocking after the break, in news that will please Gatland.
Gatland responded by claiming Hansen was "worried" about his improving Lions, who swiped the Maori aside 32-10 - and Farrell has now insisted the phoney war will not affect the Test matches. But another withdrawal for a head injury assessment (his second such incident in a week) should rule him out.
After an hour, the Chiefs were spent, and the Lions were able to have a little running fun with a couple of lovely tries. The result here was the first priority and then the performance.
Daly, 24, was outstanding until he was replaced after just an hour in Hamilton. The England man impressed in a busy showing and should now make Saturday's Test 23.
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