(a) It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Bakrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) delayed the Isha prayer for nine nights until a third of the night. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) said: O Messenger of Allah! If you were to offer this prayer earlier, we could stand (in night prayer) for longer.
(b) In the narration of Ibn al-Munadi, instead of "amkanu li-qiyamina" the words are "amthalu li-qiyamina", "standing at night would have been easier for us." After that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to offer the prayer early.
Only Ali bin Zayd bin Jud'an narrated it, and he is not strong.
Hadith Referenceالسنن الكبرى للبيهقي / كتاب الصلاة / 2112