Sayyiduna Abu Bakrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) offered the Isha prayer late for nine nights (here the narrator Abu Dawud transmitted these words: he did so for eight nights), delaying it until a third of the night had passed. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said to him: O Messenger of Allah! If you were to offer it early, it would be more suitable for our night prayers. The narrator says: After that, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to offer it early.
Imam Ahmad and Imam al-Tabarani in al-Mu'jam al-Kabir recorded something similar; its chain contains Ali bin Zayd, about whom there is disagreement regarding narrating from him.
Hadith Referenceمجمع الزوائد ومنبع الفوائد / كتاب الصلاة / 1757